maestro
/maˈestɾo/
The English phrase 'master in some art' translates to Spanish as maestro.
In many Spanish-speaking countries, maestro is a common way to refer to a primary or elementary school teacher. It can also refer to someone who is a master of a specific craft or art.
Meaning: master in some art (noun)
Which one should you use?
While maestro often implies a master of a craft or a primary school teacher, profesor is the more standard term for a teacher in secondary or higher education.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, Colombia and Uruguay, el docente is used to denote a teacher.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form for a male teacher is el maestro. The feminine form of maestro is la maestra. To refer to a group of male masters or a mixed group of males and females, use the plural form maestros.
How do you pronounce it?
/maˈestɾo/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, the word maestro is used as a generic, polite way to address a stranger who is working with their hands, like a street vendor or a repairman.
- The word maestro is a doublet of magíster, meaning both words entered Spanish from the same Latin root magistrum but took different paths.
- Spanish has three distinct ways to refer to a 'master' level academic degree: maestro, magíster and the English loanword máster.
Examples in context
- Él es un maestro.He is a maestro
- ¡Hola, maestro!Hi, teacher!
- Gracias, maestraThank you, teacher!
- El docente fue muy informativoThe teacher was very informative
- El maestro enseña músicaThe male teacher teaches music
- La maestra es muy pacienteThe female teacher is very patient
- ¿Cómo está, maestro?How are you, teacher?
- Buenos días, maestro. ¿Cómo está hoy?Good morning, teacher. How are you today?
- Él es un maestro del piano.He is a master of the piano.
- El maestro de la escultura vive en Italia.The master of sculpture lives in Italy.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are discussing a famous musician at a concert.
- SofíaDaniel, ese hombre es un maestro del violín.Daniel, that man is a master of the violin.
- DanielEs cierto, Sofía, su técnica es increíble.It is true, Sofía, his technique is incredible.
- Sofía¿Has visto a otros maestros como él?Have you seen other masters like him?
- DanielNo, es único en su clase.No, he is unique in his class.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry maestro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries maestro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
