Inklingo

How to Say "mistress" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “mistress” is “querida” — use 'querida' when referring to a woman who is romantically involved with someone, often in a clandestine or secondary relationship..

English → Spanish
nounB1informal
Use 'querida' when referring to a woman who is romantically involved with someone, often in a clandestine or secondary relationship.

Examples

El hombre mantenía una vida secreta con su querida.

The man maintained a secret life with his mistress.

ama

AH-mah/ˈa.ma/

nounB1
Use 'ama' to refer to the female head or owner of a household, particularly in contexts like 'ama de casa' (housewife).
A high quality storybook illustration of a woman standing confidently in the center of a simple, tidy living room, holding a large, ornate key in her hand.

Examples

La ama de la casa supervisa todas las tareas domésticas.

The mistress of the house supervises all domestic tasks.

Mi madre es ama de casa y cuida de nosotros.

My mother is a housewife and takes care of us.

La joven trabajó como ama de llaves en la mansión.

The young woman worked as a housekeeper in the mansion.

Compound Nouns

'Ama' is most frequently seen today as the first part of a fixed phrase describing a specific job related to running a household or overseeing keys/children.

dueña

nounB2formal
Use 'dueña' in a more formal or historical sense to denote a lady who has control or ownership, often of a place or situation, or metaphorically of her destiny.

Examples

Se sentía la dueña absoluta de la mansión.

She felt like the absolute mistress of the mansion.

madame

mah-DAHM-eh/maˈðame/

nounB2informal
Use 'madame' specifically for the madam or proprietor of a brothel or similar illicit establishment.
A stern, well-dressed woman in a purple dress and gold jewelry, holding a large antique key while standing confidently in front of a heavy, closed red velvet curtain.

Examples

La policía allanó el burdel y detuvo a la madame.

The police raided the brothel and arrested the madam.

La madame del local fue arrestada por la policía.

The madam of the establishment was arrested by the police.

Todos le temían a la madame, era una mujer de carácter fuerte.

Everyone was afraid of the madam; she was a woman with a strong character.

Gender and Articles

Even though 'madame' is borrowed from French, in Spanish it is treated as a feminine noun and always uses the feminine article 'la'.

Pronunciation

Mistake: “Pronouncing it the French way ('mah-DAM').”

Correction: Spanish speakers usually pronounce all the letters, including the final 'e': 'mah-DAHM-eh'.

Confusing 'Querida' with Household Terms

Learners often confuse 'querida' with 'ama' or 'dueña'. Remember that 'querida' implies a romantic or sexual relationship, while 'ama' and 'dueña' refer to the management or ownership of a household or property.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.