Inklingo

How to Say "american" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “american” is “americano” — use this when referring to anything related to the continents of North, Central, or South America, or when contextually clear it means from the U.S..

English → Spanish

americano

ah-meh-ree-KAH-noh/ameɾiˈkano/

adjectiveA2general
Use this when referring to anything related to the continents of North, Central, or South America, or when contextually clear it means from the U.S.
A simple illustration showing the connected landmasses of North and South America floating in the ocean.

Examples

El continente americano es diverso.

The American continent is diverse.

El continente americano es el segundo más grande del mundo.

The American continent is the second largest in the world.

Los países americanos tienen una gran diversidad cultural.

The American countries have great cultural diversity.

Mi amigo tiene doble nacionalidad: es mexicano y americano.

My friend has dual nationality: he is Mexican and American (from the U.S.).

Changing Gender

Like many Spanish adjectives, 'americano' must match the gender of the noun: 'el continente americano' (masculine) but 'la cultura americana' (feminine).

Alternative Word

To avoid confusion, many Spanish speakers prefer using 'estadounidense' when specifically referring to things or people from the United States.

Mixing up the Continent

Mistake: “Pensé que americano solo significaba de EE. UU.”

Correction: In Spanish, 'americano' often refers to the entire continent (North, Central, and South America). This is the most geographically accurate use.

americano

ah-meh-ree-KAH-noh/ameɾiˈkano/

adjectiveB1general
Use this when referring to people or things specifically from the United States, especially when differentiating from other nationalities in the Americas.
A simple illustration showing the connected landmasses of North and South America floating in the ocean.

Examples

Él es americano y habla español muy bien.

He is American (from the U.S.) and speaks Spanish very well.

El continente americano es el segundo más grande del mundo.

The American continent is the second largest in the world.

Los países americanos tienen una gran diversidad cultural.

The American countries have great cultural diversity.

Mi amigo tiene doble nacionalidad: es mexicano y americano.

My friend has dual nationality: he is Mexican and American (from the U.S.).

Changing Gender

Like many Spanish adjectives, 'americano' must match the gender of the noun: 'el continente americano' (masculine) but 'la cultura americana' (feminine).

Alternative Word

To avoid confusion, many Spanish speakers prefer using 'estadounidense' when specifically referring to things or people from the United States.

Mixing up the Continent

Mistake: “Pensé que americano solo significaba de EE. UU.”

Correction: In Spanish, 'americano' often refers to the entire continent (North, Central, and South America). This is the most geographically accurate use.

estadounidense

es-ta-doh-oo-nee-DEN-seh/estadowniˈðense/

adjectiveA2general
Use this exclusively when referring to people or things specifically from the United States.
A simple drawing of the United States Capitol building, rendered in patriotic red, white, and blue colors, set against a bright sky, symbolizing something belonging to the United States.

Examples

La cultura estadounidense es influyente.

US culture is influential.

La bandera estadounidense tiene estrellas y franjas.

The US flag has stars and stripes.

Necesito un visado para trabajar en territorio estadounidense.

I need a visa to work in US territory.

Ella es estadounidense, pero vive en México.

She is American (a US citizen), but she lives in Mexico.

Always the Same Form

Unlike most Spanish adjectives, 'estadounidense' does not change its ending based on whether the noun is masculine or feminine (e.g., 'la cultura estadounidense', 'el gobierno estadounidense').

Making it Plural

To talk about multiple things, just add an 's' at the end: 'las costumbres estadounidenses' (the US customs).

Gender and Articles

The word itself doesn't change, but you use the correct article (the little word before the noun) to show gender: 'el estadounidense' (male) or 'la estadounidense' (female).

Confusing 'Americano'

Mistake: “Using 'americano' as an adjective for 'US' things.”

Correction: While sometimes used informally, 'americano' officially means 'of the Americas' (North, Central, or South). Use 'estadounidense' for clarity to mean 'of the U.S.'.

estadounidense

es-ta-doh-oo-nee-DEN-seh/estadowniˈðense/

nounA2general
Use this to refer to a person from the United States, often to be more precise than 'americano'.
A simple drawing of the United States Capitol building, rendered in patriotic red, white, and blue colors, set against a bright sky, symbolizing something belonging to the United States.

Examples

Soy estadounidense, pero nací en Canadá.

I am American (a U.S. citizen), but I was born in Canada.

La bandera estadounidense tiene estrellas y franjas.

The US flag has stars and stripes.

Necesito un visado para trabajar en territorio estadounidense.

I need a visa to work in US territory.

Ella es estadounidense, pero vive en México.

She is American (a US citizen), but she lives in Mexico.

Always the Same Form

Unlike most Spanish adjectives, 'estadounidense' does not change its ending based on whether the noun is masculine or feminine (e.g., 'la cultura estadounidense', 'el gobierno estadounidense').

Making it Plural

To talk about multiple things, just add an 's' at the end: 'las costumbres estadounidenses' (the US customs).

Gender and Articles

The word itself doesn't change, but you use the correct article (the little word before the noun) to show gender: 'el estadounidense' (male) or 'la estadounidense' (female).

Confusing 'Americano'

Mistake: “Using 'americano' as an adjective for 'US' things.”

Correction: While sometimes used informally, 'americano' officially means 'of the Americas' (North, Central, or South). Use 'estadounidense' for clarity to mean 'of the U.S.'.

Using 'Americano' vs. 'Estadounidense'

Learners often use 'americano' when they strictly mean 'from the U.S.' to avoid sounding too formal. However, 'estadounidense' is the most precise term for U.S. citizens and things, avoiding confusion with the broader meaning of 'americano' that includes all of the Americas.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.