humilde
/uˈmilde/
The Spanish word for humbled is humilde.
The adjective humilde is used to describe someone who has a modest estimate of their own importance or a modest personality. It can also be used to describe something of low socioeconomic status, such as a humble home.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish humilde from humillado. While humilde describes a person's character or status, humillado means humiliated or debased.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the adjective humilde plural, add -es to form humildes.
How do you pronounce it?
/uˈmilde/
Did you know?
- While English speakers often say 'I am humbled' to express gratitude for an award, a Spanish speaker using humilde describes a permanent trait of their character rather than a temporary reaction to an event.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, describing a home as humilde is often a polite euphemism used to avoid the word 'poor' or 'impoverished'.
- The Spanish word humilde shares a root with humus, the organic component of soil. To be humilde literally evokes the image of being close to the ground.
Examples in context
- Me siento honrado/a de recibir este premio.I feel humbled to receive this award.
- Me llena de humildad recibir sus elogios.It fills me with humility to receive your compliments.
- No merezco tanto cariño de ustedes.I don't deserve so much affection from all of you.
- Él es una persona muy humilde.He is a very humble person.
- A pesar de su éxito, sigue siendo humilde.Despite his success, he remains humble.
- Es importante ser humilde con los demás.It is important to be humble with others.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are discussing a famous athlete.
- DanielEse jugador es muy talentoso.That player is very talented.
- MaríaSí, y además es un hombre muy humilde.Yes, and besides, he is a very humble man.
- DanielEso es lo que más admiro de él.That is what I admire most about him.
- MaríaTienes razón, es un ejemplo para todos.You are right, he is an example for everyone.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry humilde, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
