Inklingo
A friendly nun wearing a traditional black and white habit, standing in a peaceful garden.

monja

MON-hah

nounfA2
nun?a female member of a religious order
Also:sister?religious title for a woman

📝 In Action

La monja trabaja en el hospital de la ciudad.

A2

The nun works in the city hospital.

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz fue una monja y escritora famosa.

B1

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz was a famous nun and writer.

Mi tía decidió hacerse monja el año pasado.

A2

My aunt decided to become a nun last year.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • monje (monk (male equivalent))

Common Collocations

  • hacerse monjato become a nun
  • hábito de monjanun's habit (clothing)
  • monja de clausuracloistered nun

💡 Grammar Points

Gender and Endings

This word is specifically feminine. It almost always ends in '-a' because it refers to a woman. To talk about a man in a similar religious role, you must use the word 'monje' instead.

❌ Common Pitfalls

The 'O' trap

Mistake: "monjo"

Correction: monje

⭐ Usage Tips

Polite Address

When speaking directly to a nun, it is more common and polite to call her 'hermana' (sister) or 'madre' (mother) rather than using the word 'monja' as a name.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: monja

Question 1 of 2

What is the correct word for a male monk in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

monje(monk) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'monja' the same as 'hermana'?

Technically yes, but 'monja' is the general noun (the job/role), while 'hermana' (sister) is often used as a respectful title or when speaking directly to her.

Does 'monja' change if there is a group of men and women?

No, if there is a mixed group of monks and nuns, you would use the masculine plural 'los monjes' to refer to everyone together.