hmong
/ˈmon/
The Spanish word for the people known as Hmong is hmong. If unsure, use hmong. Wiktionary also lists miao.
Meaning: people (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| hmong | /ˈmon/ |
| miao | /ˈmjao/ |
hmong is used as a noun to refer to the Hmong people.
Which one should you use?
The term miao is also used to refer to these people, whereas hmong is the default form.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmon/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word miao shares the same spelling as the onomatopoeia for a cat's 'meow' in Spanish. This can lead to humorous or confusing moments in written sentences if the context is missing.
- Because hmong is a loanword, Spanish speakers may struggle with the initial 'h'. In Spanish, the letter 'h' is always silent, so some may incorrectly pronounce it as mong.
- Historically, some Spanish dictionaries linked the word miao to the verb mear, which means 'to urinate'. This creates a linguistic coincidence where a formal ethnic term resembles a vulgar verb.
Examples in context
- Me encontré con algunos Hmong en el mercado hoy.I met some Hmong people at the market today.
- ¿Conoces a algún Hmong que pueda ayudarme con esto?Do you know any Hmong person who could help me with this?
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are talking about a cultural festival.
- JavierMira este desfile de los hmong.Look at this parade of the Hmong people.
- SofíaSus trajes son realmente hermosos.Their costumes are really beautiful.
- JavierSí, los hmong tienen tradiciones muy ricas.Yes, the Hmong people have very rich traditions.
- SofíaMe gustaría aprender más sobre ellos.I would like to learn more about them.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hmong” translations and entries hmong, miao, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries miao, CC BY-SA 4.0.
