maya
/ˈmaʝa/masculine
maya is the Spanish word for Mayan.
The word refers to the Mayan language, the Maya people or things relating to them. To specify the language, you can use the phrase lengua maya.
Meaning: language (name)
Which one should you use?
In Spanish, maya serves as both the adjective (Mayan) and the noun (a Maya person). This differs from English, which often uses 'Maya' for the people and 'Mayan' for the language or adjective.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word maya is invariable in gender, so it remains the same regardless of whether the noun it modifies is masculine or feminine. When referring to the Maya people as a collective group, you use the plural form mayas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmaʝa/
Did you know?
- While maya refers to the ancient civilization in Mexico and Central America, Spanish also uses maya as a word borrowed from Tagalog to describe a specific type of bird in the Philippines.
- Using the word maya to describe a single language is actually a simplification, as the Maya people speak a family of over 30 distinct languages.
Examples in context
- Los glifos mayas son apasionantes.Mayan glyphs are fascinating.This sentence shows how to use maya to describe glyphs.Tatoeba #3680034 by Seael, translation #13946182 by araneo
- Este glifo maya aún está por descifrar.This Mayan glyph is yet to be deciphered.This sentence shows how to use maya to describe a single glyph.Tatoeba #10314675 by Seael, translation #12899574 by araneo
- De acuerdo al calendario maya, el fin del mundo vendrá pronto.According to the Mayan calendar, the end of the world will come soon.This sentence shows how to use maya to describe a calendar.Tatoeba #1538803 by marcelostockle, translation #1538701 by Spamster
- Los mayas fueron una antigua civilización mesoamericana muy avanzada.The Mayans were a very advanced ancient Mesoamerican civilization.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are visiting a museum of ancient civilizations.
- Daniel¿Sabes hablar el idioma maya?Do you know how to speak the Mayan language?
- ElenaNo, pero me gustaría aprender el maya.No, but I would like to learn Mayan.
- DanielEs una lengua maya muy compleja.It is a very complex Mayan language.
- ElenaSí, Daniel, es fascinante su estructura.Yes, Daniel, its structure is fascinating.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mayan” translations and entries maya, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries maya, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
