molino
/moˈlino/masculine
The Spanish word for mill is molino.
molino is a masculine noun used to describe a building that houses a grinding apparatus. If you wish to be more specific about the power source, you can use molino de viento for a windmill or molino de agua for a watermill. The related verb moler means to grind or process something using a mill or a similar machine, while the verb vagar can be used to describe moving about in an aimless fashion.
Meaning: building housing a grinding apparatus (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term muela may be used when referring specifically to a millstone. In various Latin American countries, particularly in Mexico, the word nixtamalera is used to describe a mill specifically used for grinding nixtamalized corn to make masa or dough for tortillas.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of molino is molinos.
How do you pronounce it?
/moˈlino/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the verb moler meaning 'to grind' is used in the idiomatic expression moler a palos, which means to beat someone severely with a stick.
- While molino de viento is a windmill, the term molinillo describes a traditional wooden whisk used to froth chocolate, which mimics the rotating motion of a mill.
- The word molino is essentially a direct descendant of the Latin 'molīnum', meaning it has changed very little in structure over thousands of years.
Examples in context
- Nosotros estábamos en el molino, cerca del campo de cáñamo.We were at the mill, near the hemp field.This sentence shows how to use molino to describe a location near a field.Tatoeba #1238567 by wallebot, translation #1021791 by U2FS
- Es un molino de cachorros y no un lugar serio de crianza.It's a puppy mill, not a proper breeding place.This sentence demonstrates the use of molino in the context of a puppy mill.Tatoeba #2857827 by Besatnias, translation #1135450 by shekitten
- En este pueblo pequeño Tom llegó a tener un pequeño molino harinero.In this small town, Tom came to have a small flour mill.This sentence shows how to describe a small flour mill using molino.Tatoeba #9288553 by ecorralest101, translation #9288558 by DJ_Saidez
- En la localidad, hay un antiguo molino que atrae a muchos turistas.In the town, there is an ancient mill that attracts many tourists.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are walking near an old industrial site.
- JavierEse molino es muy antiguo.That mill is very old.
- SofíaSí, el molino está abandonado ahora.Yes, the mill is abandoned now.
- Javier¿Quieres visitar el molino hoy?Do you want to visit the mill today?
- SofíaNo, prefiero no entrar en ese molino.No, I prefer not to enter that mill.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mill” translations and entries molino, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries molino, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
