Inklingo

How to Say "honorable" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “honorable” is “honorable” — use this when describing someone or something as worthy of respect or admiration, often in a general sense or when referring to esteemed positions..

honorable🔊B1

Use this when describing someone or something as worthy of respect or admiration, often in a general sense or when referring to esteemed positions.

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honrado🔊B1

This term specifically emphasizes a person's honesty and integrity, particularly in their dealings or profession.

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respetable🔊B1

Use this to describe someone who commands respect due to their position, achievements, or character within a group or community.

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decente🔊B1

This implies a person of good moral character, respectable, and honest in their behavior and principles.

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digno🔊B2

Choose this when describing someone who maintains a sense of worthiness and self-respect, often in challenging circumstances.

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nobles🔊A2

This term is best for describing actions, intentions, or a person's spirit as being noble, virtuous, or high-minded.

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English → Spanish

honorable

oh-noh-RAH-bleh/o.noˈɾa.βle/

adjectiveB1general
Use this when describing someone or something as worthy of respect or admiration, often in a general sense or when referring to esteemed positions.
A young person bowing slightly to an elderly, distinguished man, symbolizing respect and honor.

Examples

Mi abuelo siempre fue un hombre honorable en su comunidad.

My grandfather was always an honorable man in his community.

Tomaron la decisión más honorable, aunque fuera la más difícil.

They made the most honorable decision, even if it was the most difficult one.

La sesión fue presidida por el Honorable Juez de la Corte Suprema.

The session was chaired by the Honorable Supreme Court Judge.

Espero que la Honorable Cámara de Diputados apruebe la ley.

I hope the Honorable Chamber of Deputies approves the law.

Adjective Ending

Since 'honorable' ends in -e, it is the same for both masculine and feminine nouns (e.g., 'hombre honorable' and 'mujer honorable').

Capitalization in Titles

When used formally as part of a title, 'Honorable' is often capitalized in Spanish, just as in English.

False Cognate Misuse

Mistake: “Using 'honorable' to mean 'honorary' (like an honorary degree).”

Correction: Use 'honorario' for things like degrees or positions given as an honor, not 'honorable'. 'Honorable' means 'worthy of respect'.

honrado

ohn-RAH-doh/onˈraðo/

adjectiveB1general
This term specifically emphasizes a person's honesty and integrity, particularly in their dealings or profession.
A child with an open, sincere expression, holding a single transparent glass marble in their hand, symbolizing truth and sincerity.

Examples

Mi abuelo era un sastre honrado que siempre cobraba un precio justo.

My grandfather was an honest tailor who always charged a fair price.

Necesitamos políticos honrados que digan la verdad.

We need honorable politicians who tell the truth.

Ella es una mujer honrada, puedes confiar en ella.

She is an honest woman, you can trust her.

Changing Endings

Like most Spanish adjectives, 'honrado' changes its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'honrada' (feminine singular), 'honrados' (masculine plural), and 'honradas' (feminine plural).

Confusing 'Honesto' and 'Honrado'

Mistake: “Using 'honesto' only, when 'honrado' might be better.”

Correction: 'Honrado' often carries a stronger sense of integrity and respectability, especially regarding business or public life, while 'honesto' focuses more on simple truthfulness.

respetable

/rreh-speh-TAH-bleh//respeˈtaβle/

adjectiveB1general
Use this to describe someone who commands respect due to their position, achievements, or character within a group or community.
An elderly person being helped across a street by a kind child, showing a scene of honor and esteem.

Examples

Es un profesor muy respetable en nuestra comunidad.

He is a very respectable teacher in our community.

Su opinión es perfectamente respetable, aunque no estemos de acuerdo.

Your opinion is perfectly respectable, even if we don't agree.

One Form for All

This word ends in -e, which means it doesn't change based on gender. You use 'respetable' for both men and women, and for both masculine and feminine objects.

Confusing 'Respectful' and 'Respectable'

Mistake: “Using 'respetable' to say someone shows respect to others.”

Correction: Use 'respetuoso' for someone who gives respect, and 'respetable' for someone who deserves respect.

decente

/deh-SEHN-teh//deˈθen̪.te/

adjectiveB1general
This implies a person of good moral character, respectable, and honest in their behavior and principles.
A small child holding open a wooden door for an older adult who is smiling while carrying a basket of fruit, demonstrating moral goodness.

Examples

Mi abuelo siempre fue un hombre decente y honesto con todos.

My grandfather was always a respectable and honest man with everyone.

Ella se comporta de manera decente en público.

She behaves in a proper manner in public.

The False Friend Trap

Mistake: “Using 'decente' primarily to mean 'clean' or 'okay' when talking about moral character in a formal context (e.g., *'Ella es una persona decente,'* meaning 'She is okay').”

Correction: In formal contexts, remember 'decente' implies a strong moral quality: respectable, honorable. If you just mean 'okay,' use *'bien'* or *'agradable'*.

digno

DEEG-noh/ˈdiɣno/

adjectiveB2general
Choose this when describing someone who maintains a sense of worthiness and self-respect, often in challenging circumstances.
A wise owl standing straight and composed on a branch, wearing a monocle, symbolizing dignity.

Examples

Ella mantuvo una postura digna a pesar de la situación difícil.

She maintained a dignified stance despite the difficult situation.

Todos merecen un salario digno.

Everyone deserves a respectable/decent wage.

El director actuó de manera muy digna.

The director acted in a very honorable manner.

Describing Quality

In this sense, 'digno' describes an inherent quality or characteristic (like 'tall' or 'smart'), so it is almost always used with the verb 'ser' (to be) rather than 'estar'.

nobles

/no-bless//ˈnoβles/

adjectiveA2general
This term is best for describing actions, intentions, or a person's spirit as being noble, virtuous, or high-minded.
A kind lion with a golden mane standing proudly under a bright sun.

Examples

Tienen corazones muy nobles.

They have very noble hearts.

Sus intenciones son nobles, aunque no lo parezca.

Their intentions are noble, even if it doesn't seem like it.

Proviene de una de las familias más nobles de la ciudad.

They come from one of the most noble families in the city.

One word for everyone

The word 'nobles' is used for both men and women. You don't need to change the ending to 'as' for a group of females; it always stays 'nobles'.

Making it plural

To talk about more than one 'noble' person, we simply add an 's' to the singular word 'noble'.

Don't change the ending

Mistake: “Las mujeres noblas.”

Correction: Las mujeres nobles.

honorable

oh-noh-RAH-bleh/o.noˈɾa.βle/

adjectiveC1formal
Use this specific form before titles like 'Judge', 'Senator', or 'Mayor' to indicate high official standing and respect.
A young person bowing slightly to an elderly, distinguished man, symbolizing respect and honor.

Examples

La sesión fue presidida por el Honorable Juez de la Corte Suprema.

The session was chaired by the Honorable Supreme Court Judge.

Mi abuelo siempre fue un hombre honorable en su comunidad.

My grandfather was always an honorable man in his community.

Tomaron la decisión más honorable, aunque fuera la más difícil.

They made the most honorable decision, even if it was the most difficult one.

Espero que la Honorable Cámara de Diputados apruebe la ley.

I hope the Honorable Chamber of Deputies approves the law.

Adjective Ending

Since 'honorable' ends in -e, it is the same for both masculine and feminine nouns (e.g., 'hombre honorable' and 'mujer honorable').

Capitalization in Titles

When used formally as part of a title, 'Honorable' is often capitalized in Spanish, just as in English.

False Cognate Misuse

Mistake: “Using 'honorable' to mean 'honorary' (like an honorary degree).”

Correction: Use 'honorario' for things like degrees or positions given as an honor, not 'honorable'. 'Honorable' means 'worthy of respect'.

Honorable vs. Honrado

Learners often confuse 'honorable' and 'honrado'. Remember that 'honrado' specifically refers to personal integrity and honesty in actions, like a fair merchant. 'Honorable' is broader, referring to general respectworthiness or used formally before titles.

Related Translations

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