Which one should you use?
While profesor is the standard term for a professional or academic teacher, maestro is often used to refer to a male primary school teacher or used as a more traditional and affectionate term. You may also encounter profe, which is a shortened version of profesor.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
profesor is the standard term. profe is an informal version of the word. For a more personalized and informal way to refer to a teacher, you can use profe followed by their first name. maestro can carry a traditional or informal/affectionate tone.
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify "the male teacher", use the masculine article el profesor. The plural form of profesor is profesores, which can mean "male teachers" or "teachers" in a mixed-gender group.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾofeˈsoɾ/
Did you know?
- The word profesor shares its Latin roots with the English word 'profess', meaning the original sense was someone who 'professes' or declares their knowledge publicly.
- While profesor is used for school, the word maestro is also used to describe a master of a craft or trade, such as a master carpenter or a great musician.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, a very young or enthusiastic male teacher might be addressed as maestrito as a term of endearment.
Examples in context
- El profesor tiene alumnas.The male teacher has female students.This sentence shows the use of profesor in a context regarding students.Tatoeba #10690728 by carlosalberto, translation #10690720 by carlosalberto
- Buenos días, profesor. ¿Cómo está usted?Good morning, professor. How are you?
- Hola, profe. ¿Cómo estás?Hi, teacher. How are you?
- Disculpe, profesor, ¿puede explicar de nuevo el tema?Excuse me, professor, can you explain the topic again?
- Oye, profe, ¿sabes si hay tarea para mañana?Hey, teacher, do you know if there's homework for tomorrow?
- El profesor explica la lección.The teacher explains the lesson.
- Mi profesor de inglés es simpático.My English teacher is nice.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are talking about school after class.
- Daniel¿Te gusta tu nuevo profesor?Do you like your new teacher?
- SofíaSí, el profesor es muy inteligente.Yes, the teacher is very intelligent.
- DanielÉl también me ayuda con la tarea.He also helps me with my homework.
- SofíaQué bueno, Daniel.That is good, Daniel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry profesor, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries profesor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
