How to Say "monastery" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “monastery” is “monasterio” — use 'monasterio' for a general building or complex where monks live and work, often in seclusion..
monasterio
/moh-nahs-TEH-ryoh//monasˈteɾjo/
Examples
El monasterio está en la cima de la montaña.
The monastery is at the top of the mountain.
Muchos turistas visitan el monasterio por su arquitectura.
Many tourists visit the monastery for its architecture.
En la Edad Media, los monasterios eran centros de cultura.
In the Middle Ages, monasteries were centers of culture.
Gender and Articles
Since it ends in -o, it is a masculine word. Always use 'el' or 'un' (el monasterio, un monasterio).
Pluralization
To make it plural, just add an -s: 'los monasterios'.
Middle Vowel Confusion
Mistake: “monesterio”
Correction: monasterio (English speakers often try to use 'e' as in 'monestery', but Spanish uses 'a' in the middle).
convento
/kohn-BEHN-toh//konˈbento/
Examples
El antiguo convento ha sido transformado en un museo nacional.
The old convent has been transformed into a national museum.
Las monjas viven y rezan en el convento.
The nuns live and pray in the convent.
Es un convento de clausura, por lo que no reciben visitas.
It is a cloistered convent, so they do not receive visitors.
Gender of the word
'Convento' is a masculine noun because it ends in '-o'. You should always use 'el' or 'un' with it, even if only women live inside.
Don't change the ending for gender
Mistake: “La conventa”
Correction: El convento
Monasterio vs. Convento
Related Translations
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