bilingüe
/biˈlinɡwe/
The Spanish word for bilingual is bilingüe.
bilingüe is used as an adjective to describe someone or something that speaks two languages. It can also function as a noun to refer to a person who is bilingual.
Meaning: speaking two languages (adj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the word as an adjective to describe more than one person or thing, the plural form is bilingües.
How do you pronounce it?
/biˈlinɡwe/
Did you know?
- Spain has several comunidades autónomas where being bilingüe is a legal requirement for government employees because they must speak both Spanish and a co-official language like Catalan or Basque.
- While bilingüe means speaking two languages, Spanish speakers often use the term diglosia to describe a society where two languages are used but one has higher social prestige than the other.
- The word 'bilingüe' shares a deep ancestral root with the English word 'tongue'. Both words trace back to the same ancient linguistic roots describing the organ of speech.
Examples in context
- Mi amigo es bilingüe.My friend is bilingual.This sentence is useful for describing a friend as bilingual using bilingüe.Tatoeba #10911360 by Eremon, translation #1989339 by FlamingTofu
- La norma es ser bilingüe.Being bilingual is the norm.This sentence is useful for stating that being bilingual is the norm using bilingüe.Tatoeba #4079939 by ecorralest101, translation #4047348 by Chrikaru
- Me dijo que era bilingüe.He told me he was bilingual.This sentence is useful for reporting that someone said they were bilingual using bilingüe.Tatoeba #7917867 by fpp, translation #7401692 by CH
- 62 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are discussing job requirements.
- MateoBuscan a alguien que sea bilingüe.They are looking for someone who is bilingual.
- LucíaYo hablo inglés y español perfectamente.I speak English and Spanish perfectly.
- MateoEntonces eres la persona bilingüe ideal.Then you are the ideal bilingual person.
- LucíaVoy a enviar mi currículum ahora.I am going to send my resume now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bilingual” translations and entries bilingüe, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bilingüe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
