militar
“militar” means “soldier” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
soldier
Also: service member
📝 In Action
Mi tío es militar y trabaja lejos de casa.
A2My uncle is a soldier and works far from home.
El militar recibió un premio por su valentía.
B1The service member received an award for his bravery.
military
Also: armed forces (adj.)
📝 In Action
El servicio militar es obligatorio en algunos países.
A2Military service is mandatory in some countries.
La base militar está cerca de la ciudad.
A2The military base is close to the city.
to serve (in the military)
Also: to be active in, to campaign for
📝 In Action
Ella decidió militar en el partido socialista.
B1She decided to be active in the socialist party.
Nuestro abuelo militó en la resistencia hace muchos años.
B2Our grandfather served in the resistance many years ago.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: militar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'militar' as a noun?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin word *militaris*, which meant 'of or belonging to a soldier or warfare,' itself derived from *miles* (soldier). The meaning has stayed remarkably consistent over centuries.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'militar' is a noun or an adjective?
Look for the little words before it. If it has 'el' or 'un' (like 'el militar'), it's the noun (the person). If it comes after a noun and describes it (like 'la base militar'), it's the adjective.
Is the verb 'militar' only about the army?
Not anymore! While it started that way, it's very common today to use the verb to describe being an active member of any political party, activist group, or social movement.