monaguillo
/monaˈɡiʝo/masculine
The English phrase "altar boy" is translated into Spanish as monaguillo.
The term refers to a boy serving as an acolyte.
Meaning: A boy serving as an acolyte (noun)
Which one should you use?
While monaguillo is the common term for a child, acólito is a more formal or liturgical term for an acolyte.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer specifically to an altar girl, use the feminine form monaguilla. To refer to a group of altar boys or a mixed-gender group of altar servers, use the plural form monaguillos.
How do you pronounce it?
/monaˈɡiʝo/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word monaguillo can be used as a playful or ironic nickname for someone who is overly obedient or behaves with excessive piety.
- The word monaguillo is not just a description of a job, but a diminutivized version of a defunct term for a monk. It essentially labels the child as a 'little monk' through its construction.
- While monaguillos are typically children, the role of acólito in the Catholic Church is a formal ministry that can be held by adult men and women.
Examples in context
- Pregunté al monaguillo sobre el horario de la misa.I asked the altar boy about the Mass schedule.
- La parroquia necesita contratar a un nuevo monaguillo.The parish needs to hire a new altar boy.
- El monaguillo ayuda en la misa.The altar boy helps during the mass.
- Mi hermano es monaguillo en la iglesia.My brother is an altar boy at the church.
- Necesitamos un monaguillo para la ceremonia.We need an altar boy for the ceremony.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are talking about their son at church.
- AlejandroMira, nuestro hijo es el monaguillo más pequeño.Look, our son is the youngest altar boy.
- MaríaSe ve muy serio con su túnica, Alejandro.He looks very serious in his robe, Alejandro.
- AlejandroLe gusta mucho ayudar al sacerdote.He really likes helping the priest.
- MaríaEs un orgullo que sea monaguillo.It is a point of pride that he is an altar boy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “altar boy” translations and entries monaguillo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries monaguillo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
