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monje

MON-heh/ˈmoŋxe/

“monje” means “monk” in Spanish (a man who is a member of a religious community living under vows).

monk

Also: friar
NounmA2
A man in a simple brown hooded robe standing peacefully in a stone courtyard.

📝 In Action

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

A2

The monk dedicates his life to prayer and silence.

Vimos a un monje budista caminando por el templo.

A2

We saw a Buddhist monk walking through the temple.

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

B1

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)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "monje" in Spanish:

friar→monk→

✏️ 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
🎵 Rhymes▼
esponje
📚 Etymology▼

From the Greek word 'monakhos', meaning 'solitary' or 'single'. This reflects the early tradition of religious individuals living alone before they started forming communities.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: monkFrench: moineItalian: monaco

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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.