Inklingo

How to Say "monk" in Spanish

English → Spanish

monje

/MON-heh//ˈmoŋxe/

nounA2general
Use 'monje' when referring to a man who is part of a religious community and lives under vows, often in a monastery and dedicated to prayer and contemplation.
A man in a simple brown hooded robe standing peacefully in a stone courtyard.

Examples

El monje dedica su vida a la oración y el silencio.

The monk dedicates his life to prayer and silence.

Vimos a un monje budista caminando por el templo.

We saw a Buddhist monk walking through the temple.

En la Edad Media, los monjes escribían libros a mano.

In the Middle Ages, monks used to write books by hand.

Gender and religious roles

Spanish uses 'monje' for a man. If you are talking about a woman, you must use the word 'monja' (nun).

Monje vs. Cura

Mistake: “Using 'monje' to describe a local priest.”

Correction: Use 'cura' or 'sacerdote' for a priest who works in a parish church. A 'monje' usually lives in a monastery.

religioso

/reh-lee-hee-OH-soh//re.liˈxjo.so/

nounB1general
Use 'religioso' for a male member of any religious community, which can include monks but also priests or brothers who may live a more active apostolate.
A man wearing a simple brown robe walking through a stone courtyard.

Examples

El religioso dedicó su vida a ayudar a los pobres.

The monk dedicated his life to helping the poor.

Monje vs. Religioso

Learners often use 'monje' for any man in a religious order. Remember that 'monje' is more specific, referring to a cloistered monk. 'Religioso' is broader and can apply to monks, priests, or brothers in various types of religious communities.

Related Translations

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