soberano
“soberano” means “sovereign” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
sovereign
Also: independent, autonomous
📝 In Action
Chile es un país soberano.
A2Chile is a sovereign country.
Debemos respetar la voluntad soberana del pueblo.
B2We must respect the sovereign will of the people.
Esa decisión es un derecho soberano de cada estado.
C1That decision is a sovereign right of every state.
sovereign
Also: monarch, ruler
📝 In Action
El soberano saludó a la multitud desde el balcón.
B1The sovereign greeted the crowd from the balcony.
Los ciudadanos juraron lealtad al nuevo soberano.
B2The citizens swore loyalty to the new sovereign.
Históricamente, el soberano tenía poder absoluto.
C1Historically, the sovereign had absolute power.
total
Also: absolute, massive
📝 In Action
Me llevé un soberano susto cuando gritaste.
B2I got a massive fright when you yelled.
La película fue un soberano aburrimiento.
C1The movie was a total bore.
¡Qué soberana tontería acabas de decir!
C1What an absolute nonsense you just said!
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "soberano" in Spanish:
absolute→autonomous→independent→massive→monarch→ruler→sovereign→total→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: soberano
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence uses 'soberano' to mean 'a ruler'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'superanus', which means 'someone or something that is above others'. It comes from 'super', meaning 'above'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'soberano' the same as 'rey'?
Not exactly. While a 'rey' (king) is a 'soberano', the word 'soberano' is more general and can refer to any supreme ruler, regardless of their specific title.
When should I put 'soberano' before the noun?
Put it before the noun when you want to emphasize something strongly (like 'total' or 'huge'), usually in phrases about being bored or surprised. Put it after the noun for political or formal meanings.
Is this word common in everyday conversation?
The political meaning is common in news and school. The 'emphatic' meaning (meaning 'total') is used in daily speech but is a bit more sophisticated or dramatic.