modelo
/moˈdelo/
The Spanish word modelo means a person who poses for an artist or wears clothes to show them to others.
modelo refers to a person who works as a model. However, it is also used to describe a physical scale model or a specific version and type of a product, such as a car model.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is masculine as el modelo, which can refer to a male model or a person of any gender when used with the masculine article. To specify a female model, use the feminine article la modelo, as the word itself does not change its ending. The plural form is modelos, created by adding -s to the end.
How do you pronounce it?
/moˈdelo/
Did you know?
- In certain legal or administrative contexts in Spanish, a modelo refers to a standardized government tax form that must be filled out.
- The word modelo is a linguistic traveler that shares a common ancestor with the English word 'measure'. Both stem from the ancient root meaning 'to measure' or 'to regulate'.
- While modelo describes a person, Spanish uses the word maniquí to describe a mannequin or a person who is purely a 'clothes horse' without artistic expression.
Examples in context
- María es un ejemplo de perfección, tiene todas las cualidades que buscan en una modelo.Maria is an example of perfection, she has all the qualities they look for in a model.
- Ana tiene todo para ser una buena modelo: es alta, delgada y muy guapa.Ana has everything to be a good model: she's tall, slim, and very pretty.
- Ella trabaja como modelo de pasarela.She works as a runway model.
- El modelo posó para el pintor.The model posed for the painter.
- Busco un modelo para mi nueva colección.I am looking for a model for my new collection.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are talking about her career in a cafe.
- MateoSofía, ¿eres modelo profesional?Sofía, are you a professional model?
- SofíaSí, soy modelo para marcas de ropa.Yes, I am a model for clothing brands.
- MateoEs un trabajo muy interesante.It is a very interesting job.
- SofíaGracias, Mateo, me gusta mucho.Thanks, Mateo, I like it a lot.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry modelo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries modelo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
