How to Say "soldiers" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “soldiers” is “soldados” — use 'soldados' for general military personnel in most modern contexts, equivalent to the most common English usage of 'soldiers'.
soldados
sol-DA-dossolˈdaðos
Examples
Los soldados desfilaron por la plaza central.
The soldiers marched through the central square.
Necesitamos más soldados para la misión de paz.
We need more troops for the peace mission.
El entrenamiento de los soldados es muy riguroso.
The soldiers' training is very rigorous.
Plural Form
This is the plural form of the masculine noun 'soldado' (soldier). Remember that when you refer to a mixed group of male and female soldiers, you still use 'los soldados'.
militares
mee-lee-TAH-resmiliˈtaɾes
Examples
Los militares llegaron para ayudar con el desastre natural.
The military personnel arrived to help with the natural disaster.
Muchos jóvenes quieren convertirse en militares.
Many young people want to become soldiers.
Collective Noun
Even though 'militares' is plural, it often refers to the entire institution or group of armed forces, similar to saying 'the military' in English.
Confusing Noun/Adjective
Mistake: “Using 'los militares' when you mean the adjective 'military' (e.g., 'el coche militares').”
Correction: Use 'el coche militar' (singular adjective) or 'los coches militares' (plural adjective) instead of using the noun form.
tropa
tro-pahˈtɾopa
Examples
La tropa descansaba en el campamento.
The troops were resting in the camp.
El general dio una orden a toda la tropa.
The general gave an order to all the troops.
Las tropas de paz de la ONU llegaron a la región.
The UN peacekeeping troops arrived in the region.
Singular Word, Multiple People
Even though 'tropa' refers to many soldiers, it is a single group. Always use singular verbs with it: 'La tropa está lista' (The troops are ready), not 'están'.
Gender and Soldiers
The word 'tropa' is always feminine ('la'), even if the group consists entirely of men. This is because the word itself is feminine, regardless of who is in the group.
Using Plural Verbs
Mistake: “La tropa llegaron tarde.”
Correction: La tropa llegó tarde. (Because 'tropa' is a single unit, use the singular verb form).
guerreros
gheh-RREH-rohsɡeˈreɾos
Examples
Los guerreros espartanos eran temidos por toda Grecia.
The Spartan warriors were feared throughout all of Greece.
En la película, un grupo de guerreros defiende su aldea.
In the movie, a group of warriors defends their village.
Plural Form
This word is the plural form of the masculine noun 'guerrero.' You use it when talking about two or more male fighters, or a mixed-gender group.
Gender Confusion
Mistake: “La guerreros (using 'la' which is feminine)”
Correction: Use the masculine plural article: 'Los guerreros' (The warriors).
Soldados vs. Militares
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.