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How to Say "nobleman" in Spanish

English → Spanish

duque

DOO-kehˈdu.ke

nounB2general
Use 'duque' for the highest rank of nobility, equivalent to a Duke in English, who is a direct member of royalty or holds a very high aristocratic title.
A colorful storybook illustration of a duke, a dignified man wearing a red velvet mantle and a gold ducal coronet.

Examples

El duque asistió a la ceremonia real con su esposa.

The duke attended the royal ceremony with his wife.

En la Edad Media, el duque controlaba un gran territorio llamado ducado.

In the Middle Ages, the duke controlled a large territory called a duchy.

Gender Match

Since 'duque' refers to a man, you must use the masculine article 'el' and masculine adjectives with it. The feminine equivalent is 'duquesa'.

Mixing Genders

Mistake: “La duque (using the feminine article 'la')”

Correction: El duque (always use the masculine article 'el' for this word).

marqués

nounB2general
Choose 'marqués' for a nobleman of a rank below a duke but above a count, similar to a Marquis in English, often associated with significant historical estates.

Examples

El marqués heredó un palacio del siglo XVIII.

The marquis inherited an 18th-century palace.

Confusing Duke and Marquis

Learners often confuse 'duque' and 'marqués' because both are high-ranking noble titles. Remember that 'duque' is a higher rank than 'marqués', similar to the distinction between Duke and Marquis in English peerage.

Related Translations

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