Inklingo

How to Say "singer" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cantante

kahn-TAHN-tehkanˈtante

NounA1General
Use 'cantante' when referring to any person whose profession or hobby is singing, regardless of musical style or performance context.
A cheerful cartoon person standing on a simple stage, holding a microphone and singing, with musical notes floating above their head.

Examples

Ella es una cantante de ópera muy famosa en Europa.

She is a very famous opera singer in Europe.

¿Conoces al cantante principal de esa banda de rock?

Do you know the lead singer of that rock band?

El joven cantante demostró una capacidad vocal impresionante durante el concurso.

The young vocalist demonstrated an impressive vocal range during the competition.

One Word, Two Genders

The word 'cantante' is special because it doesn't change form based on gender. You use 'el' (the masculine word for 'the') for a male singer, and 'la' (the feminine word for 'the') for a female singer: 'el cantante' and 'la cantante'.

Don't change the ending

Mistake: “Using 'cantanta' for a female singer.”

Correction: The correct form is always 'cantante', regardless of whether the singer is male or female. The word placed before it ('el' or 'la') tells you the gender.

intérprete

NounB1Musical context
Use 'intérprete' when emphasizing the act of performing or interpreting a musical piece, often implying a higher level of skill or emotional expression.

Examples

Esa cantante es una gran intérprete de boleros.

That singer is a great performer of boleros.

Cantante vs. Intérprete

Learners often overuse 'intérprete' when 'cantante' would suffice. Remember that 'cantante' is the default and most common word for 'singer.' Use 'intérprete' specifically when you want to highlight the artist's skill in interpreting music, not just their ability to sing.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.