A man in a simple brown hooded robe standing peacefully in a stone courtyard.

monje

MON-heh

nounmA2

monk?a man who is a member of a religious community living under vows

Also:friar?specifically within certain Catholic orders

📝 In Action

El monje dedica su vida a la oración y el silencio.

The monk dedicates his life to prayer and silence.

Vimos a un monje budista caminando por el templo.

We saw a Buddhist monk walking through the temple.

En la Edad Media, los monjes escribían libros a mano.

In the Middle Ages, monks used to write books by hand.

Word Connections

Synonyms

fraile (friar)
cenobita (cenobite (a monk in a community))

Antonyms

laico (layperson (someone not in the clergy))

Common Collocations

monje budista – Buddhist monk
hacerse monje – to become a monk
vida de monje – the life of a monk (often meaning a simple/quiet life)

💡 Grammar Points

Gender and religious roles

Spanish uses 'monje' for a man. If you are talking about a woman, you must use the word 'monja' (nun).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Monje vs. Cura

Mistake: "Using 'monje' to describe a local priest."

Correction: Use 'cura' or 'sacerdote' for a priest who works in a parish church. A 'monje' usually lives in a monastery.

⭐ Usage Tips

Metaphorical Use

You can say someone 'vive como un monje' (lives like a monk) if they have a very simple, disciplined, or isolated lifestyle, even if they aren't religious.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: monje

Question 1 of 1

¿Dónde vive normalmente un monje?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

monja(nun) - noun

monasterio(monastery) - noun

monacal(monastic) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'monje' only for Catholics?

No. While common in Catholicism, 'monje' is the standard Spanish word for monks of any religion, including Buddhism or Orthodox Christianity.

Can I use 'monje' for a woman?

No, 'monje' is specifically masculine. Use 'monja' to refer to a nun.