Inklingo

How to Say "master" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “master” is “patrón” — use this for a boss or employer, especially in historical contexts or specific trades where this term is traditional..

patrónA1

Use this for a boss or employer, especially in historical contexts or specific trades where this term is traditional.

{ui.learnMore}
dueñoA2

This is the most general term for an owner, commonly used for possessions, property, or pets.

{ui.learnMore}
maestro🔊B1

Use this for someone who has achieved a very high level of skill or expertise in a particular field.

{ui.learnMore}
controlar🔊B1

This verb means to control or restrain oneself or a situation, often used reflexively for emotions or actions.

{ui.learnMore}
capitánB1

This specifically refers to the captain of a ship, particularly a merchant vessel.

{ui.learnMore}
príncipeB1

Use this figuratively to describe a leading expert or prominent figure in a specific area, like literature or science.

{ui.learnMore}
rey🔊B1

This term is used metaphorically to describe someone who is the absolute best or dominant in their field, like a king of a sport.

{ui.learnMore}
amo🔊B2

This word refers to the owner of a servant or an animal, carrying a sense of dominion or care.

{ui.learnMore}
lord🔊B2

This is typically used in historical or fictional contexts to refer to a male ruler or nobleman, or figuratively as a superior.

{ui.learnMore}
señorB2

This can mean 'owner' in a broader sense, often referring to the owner of a place or a large estate.

{ui.learnMore}
English → Spanish

patrón

nounA1historical or specific to certain trades
Use this for a boss or employer, especially in historical contexts or specific trades where this term is traditional.

Examples

Mi patrón es muy estricto con la hora de llegada.

My boss is very strict about the arrival time.

dueño

nounA2historically, or of an animal/estate (less common today)
This is the most general term for an owner, commonly used for possessions, property, or pets.

Examples

¿Quién es el dueño de este coche rojo?

Who is the owner of this red car?

maestro

/mah-ESS-troh//maˈes.tɾo/

nounB1a person with great skill
Use this for someone who has achieved a very high level of skill or expertise in a particular field.
A skilled, older carpenter wearing a leather apron, focused intently on carving a detailed wooden bird with a small chisel, representing a master craftsman.

Examples

Picasso fue un maestro del cubismo.

Picasso was a master of Cubism.

Es un maestro en el arte de la negociación.

He is a master in the art of negotiation.

El carpintero es un verdadero maestro; su trabajo es impecable.

The carpenter is a true master; his work is flawless.

Necesitamos la llave maestra para abrir todas las puertas.

We need the master key to open all the doors.

Matching the Noun

When used like this, maestro is an adjective, so it must match the thing it describes. If the noun is feminine, it becomes maestra, like in llave maestra (key) or obra maestra (work of art).

Word Order

This adjective almost always comes right after the noun it's describing, like plan maestro or viga maestra.

controlar

kohn-troh-LAHR/kon.tɾoˈlaɾ/

verbB1a feeling or skill
This verb means to control or restrain oneself or a situation, often used reflexively for emotions or actions.
A cartoon character with a frustrated expression tightly gripping their own wrist with their opposite hand, demonstrating self-restraint.

Examples

Ella se controló para no llorar delante de todos.

She restrained herself so as not to cry in front of everyone. (Used reflexively)

El boxeador controló a su oponente con facilidad.

The boxer dominated his opponent easily.

The Self-Control Verb

When you add 'se' (or me, te, nos, os) to 'controlar,' it means you are controlling your own behavior or emotions. This is called a reflexive verb.

Forgetting the 'Se'

Mistake: “Dije 'no puedo controlar' cuando estaba muy enojado.”

Correction: Dije 'no puedo controlarme' (I can't control myself). Always include the reflexive pronoun when talking about personal restraint.

capitán

nounB1of a merchant vessel
This specifically refers to the captain of a ship, particularly a merchant vessel.

Examples

El capitán del barco anunció que llegaríamos pronto al puerto.

The ship's captain announced we would arrive at the port soon.

príncipe

nounB1leading expert in a field
Use this figuratively to describe a leading expert or prominent figure in a specific area, like literature or science.

Examples

Es considerado el príncipe de la literatura moderna.

He is considered the master/prince of modern literature.

rey

/rrey//rei̯/

nounB1someone highly skilled
This term is used metaphorically to describe someone who is the absolute best or dominant in their field, like a king of a sport.
A proud chef wearing a golden crown on top of his cooking hat, standing next to a perfect dish, symbolizing mastery.

Examples

Michael Jordan es el rey del baloncesto.

Michael Jordan is the king of basketball.

Mi abuelo es el rey de la paella; nadie la hace mejor.

My grandfather is the king of paella; nobody makes it better.

Ese niño es el rey de la casa, todos hacen lo que él quiere.

That kid is the king of the house, everyone does what he wants.

amo

/ah-moh//'a.mo/

nounB2owner of a servant or animal
This word refers to the owner of a servant or an animal, carrying a sense of dominion or care.
A person standing while gently petting a large, happy, loyal dog sitting obediently at their feet.

Examples

El perro espera felizmente a su amo.

The dog happily waits for its owner.

En la película, el sirviente era leal a su amo.

In the movie, the servant was loyal to his master.

Él se cree el amo del universo.

He thinks he's the master of the universe.

A Masculine Word

This word is masculine, so you say 'el amo' or 'un amo'. The word for a female master is 'el ama'. We use 'el' instead of 'la' to avoid the awkward 'la ama' sound, even though 'ama' is a feminine noun.

Confusing the Noun and Verb

Mistake: “'El perro tiene un amo.' (Thinking this means 'The dog has an I love.')”

Correction: The words 'un' or 'el' before 'amo' are your clue that it's the noun 'master/owner'. If it's by itself or after 'yo', it's the verb 'I love'.

lord

/lord//loɾd/

nounB2Figurative/Archaic ruler
This is typically used in historical or fictional contexts to refer to a male ruler or nobleman, or figuratively as a superior.
A distinguished nobleman wearing elaborate red velvet robes and a small gold coronet on his head, signifying a British title.

Examples

Leí una novela sobre un joven lord que hereda un castillo escocés.

I read a novel about a young lord who inherits a Scottish castle.

El Lord Mayor de Londres es una figura ceremonial importante para la ciudad.

The Lord Mayor of London is an important ceremonial figure for the city.

Muchos lords tienen asientos en la Cámara Alta del Parlamento británico.

Many lords have seats in the Upper House of the British Parliament.

Always Masculine

Even though this word is a title, it is always treated as a masculine noun in Spanish: 'el lord', 'los lords'.

Using 'Señor'

Mistake: “Using 'señor' when referring to a specific British title of nobility.”

Correction: While 'señor' is often used for 'sir' or 'mister', for the formal British title, the anglicism 'lord' is almost always preferred in Spanish media and literature.

maestro

/mah-ESS-troh//maˈes.tɾo/

adjectiveB2as in 'master key'
Use this as an adjective when referring to something that controls or accesses multiple things, like a 'master key'.
A skilled, older carpenter wearing a leather apron, focused intently on carving a detailed wooden bird with a small chisel, representing a master craftsman.

Examples

Necesitamos la llave maestra para abrir todas las puertas.

We need the master key to open all the doors.

Picasso fue un maestro del cubismo.

Picasso was a master of Cubism.

Es un maestro en el arte de la negociación.

He is a master in the art of negotiation.

El carpintero es un verdadero maestro; su trabajo es impecable.

The carpenter is a true master; his work is flawless.

Matching the Noun

When used like this, maestro is an adjective, so it must match the thing it describes. If the noun is feminine, it becomes maestra, like in llave maestra (key) or obra maestra (work of art).

Word Order

This adjective almost always comes right after the noun it's describing, like plan maestro or viga maestra.

señor

nounB2owner of a place or animal
This can mean 'owner' in a broader sense, often referring to the owner of a place or a large estate.

Examples

El rey era el señor de todas esas tierras.

The king was the lord of all those lands.

Choosing between 'dueño' and 'amo'

Learners often confuse 'dueño' and 'amo'. While both can mean owner, 'dueño' is the more general and modern term for possessions or pets. 'Amo' is more specific, often implying ownership of a person (historically) or a pet with a stronger sense of mastery or servitude.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.