Inklingo

How to Say "monk" in Spanish

English → Spanish

monje

MON-hehˈmoŋxe

nounA2general
Use 'monje' for a man who is a member of a religious community living under vows, typically 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.

fraile

fry-lehˈfɾajle

nounB1general
Use 'fraile' more broadly for a man in a religious brotherhood, especially one who actively works within or serves a community outside the monastery.
A man in a simple brown robe with a hood, standing in a peaceful garden.

Examples

El fraile ayudaba a las personas enfermas del pueblo.

The friar helped the sick people of the town.

Vimos a un fraile caminando por el antiguo convento.

We saw a friar walking through the old friary.

El fraile vestía una túnica de color marrón.

The friar wore a brown robe.

Always Masculine

Because the word refers to a male member of a religious order, it is always masculine. You use 'el' or 'un' with it.

Plural Form

To talk about more than one, simply add an 's' to the end: 'los frailes'.

Fraile vs. Monje

Mistake: “Using 'fraile' for a monk living in total isolation.”

Correction: Strictly speaking, a 'fraile' works within the community, while a 'monje' lives in a secluded monastery. However, in casual talk, many people use them interchangeably.

religioso

reh-lee-hee-OH-sohre.liˈxjo.so

nounB1general
Use 'religioso' as a general term for any male member of a religious community, encompassing both monks and friars, often emphasizing his dedication to religious service.
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. Fraile

Learners often confuse 'monje' and 'fraile'. 'Monje' specifically refers to someone living in a monastery, dedicated to prayer. 'Fraile' is often used for friars who are part of mendicant orders and more involved in community work.

Related Translations

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