How to Say "Beggar" in Spanish

mendigo

/menˈdiɡo/masculine

The English word "beggar" is translated into Spanish as mendigo. Wiktionary also lists pordiosero and mendicante.

Meaning: person who begs (noun)

Ways to say it

All provided terms refer to a person who begs.

The word mendicante is used for both men and women. In contrast, mendigo is a masculine noun and its feminine form is mendiga.

/menˈdiɡo/

The word pordiosero literally translates to 'for God' as 'for' and 'God'. It originated from the historical practice of begging by asking for alms 'por Dios' to appeal to a person's piety.
The term limosnero is derived from limosna, which shares a deep ancestral root with the Greek word 'eleēmosyne', the origin of the English word 'alms'.
The word limosnero can also refer to a person whose job is to distribute alms, such as an official in a religious institution, rather than someone who receives them.

No soy un mendigo.
I'm not a beggar.
This sentence demonstrates the use of mendigo in a negative statement.
Tatoeba #2331465 by hayastan, translation #1891028 by CK
No soy mejor que un mendigo.
I am no better than a beggar.
This sentence shows how to use mendigo in a comparison.
Tatoeba #1666445 by marcelostockle, translation #257346 by CC
Dan estaba disfrazado de mendigo.
Dan was disguised as a beggar.
This sentence shows the use of mendigo when describing a disguise.
Tatoeba #5015167 by albrusgher, translation #3930422 by Amastan
Ayer, vi a un mendicante en la esquina pidiendo dinero.
Yesterday, I saw a beggar on the corner asking for money.
El pordiosero se encontraba sentado en la plaza principal.
The beggar was sitting in the main square.
Vi a un mendigo en la calle pidiendo dinero para comer.
I saw a beggar on the street asking for money to eat.
Ese pordiosero siempre está en la misma esquina.
That beggar is always in the same corner.
Le ofrecí ayuda al limosnero que estaba parado en la calle.
I offered help to the beggar who was standing on the street.
11 more sentences on Tatoeba

Elena and Javier are walking through a park in the city.

Elena

Mira, hay un mendigo bajo aquel árbol.
Look, there is a beggar under that tree.
Javier

Sí, parece que necesita ayuda.
Yes, he looks like he needs help.
Elena

¿Quieres darle algo de comer, Javier?
Do you want to give him something to eat, Javier?
Javier

Claro, voy a buscar algo en mi mochila.
Sure, I will look for something in my backpack.

Sources

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