Inklingo

How to Say "bullfighter" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word forbullfighteris torerouse this general term for anyone who participates in a bullfight, regardless of their specific role..

English → Spanish

torero

/toh-REH-roh//toˈɾeɾo/

nounA2general
Use this general term for anyone who participates in a bullfight, regardless of their specific role.
A bullfighter in a traditional costume holding a red cape.

Examples

El torero lleva un traje de luces muy brillante.

The bullfighter wears a very shiny 'suit of lights'.

Mi abuelo era un gran admirador de los famosos toreros de su época.

My grandfather was a great admirer of the famous bullfighters of his time.

Para ser torero, se necesita muchísima disciplina y valor.

To be a bullfighter, you need a lot of discipline and courage.

Don't use 'un' with jobs

When saying someone is a bullfighter, just say 'Él es torero.' In Spanish, we don't use 'a' or 'an' before professions unless we are adding an extra description like 'He is a famous bullfighter.'

Gender matching

While 'torero' is masculine, if you are talking about a woman in this profession, the word changes to 'torera.'

The 'un' trap

Mistake:Él es un torero.

Correction: Él es torero. (Only use 'un' if you add an adjective, like 'Él es un torero famoso').

diestro

/dee-ESS-troh//ˈdjestɾo/

nounC1specific
Use this term to refer specifically to the main performer or star of a bullfight.
A bullfighter in a traditional ornate costume standing with a red cape.

Examples

El diestro recibió una ovación del público.

The bullfighter received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Es el diestro más famoso de esta temporada.

He is the most famous bullfighter of this season.

General vs. Specific Roles

The most common mistake is using 'diestro' when you simply mean 'bullfighter' in a general sense. Remember, 'torero' is the broader term, while 'diestro' refers to the principal matador.

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.