musulmán
/musulˈman/masculine
The English phrase "muslim" is translated into Spanish as musulmán. Wiktionary also lists muslim and moro.
Meaning: believer of Islam (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| musulmán | /musulˈman/ | masculine |
| muslim | /muslim/ (from spelling rules) | neuter |
| moro | /ˈmoɾo/ | masculine |
| muslime | /muslime/ (from spelling rules) | neuter |
| mahometano | /maomeˈtano/ | masculine |
| mahometista | /maometista/ (from spelling rules) | neuter, rare |
| sarraceno | /saraˈθeno/ /saraˈseno/ |
masculine |
| sarracín | /saraθin/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /sarasin/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| agareno | /aɡaɾeno/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
All these terms refer to a believer of Islam. The term for the religion itself is islam.
Which one should you use?
The word mahometano is an older, now largely outdated way to refer to Muslims, similar to the English term "Mohammedan". The term moro can refer to a Muslim, but it is an archaic term often used in a historical or pejorative context to refer to North African Muslims. Other historical or rare terms include sarraceno, sarracín, agareno and the rare neuter form mahometista.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The default masculine noun is musulmán. The feminine form is musulmana and the plural form is musulmanes. The word muslim is a neuter form. The word mahometista is also a neuter and rare form.
How do you pronounce it?
/musulˈman/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word musulmán is actually a loanword from the French term musulman, rather than being directly from Arabic.
- The term mahometano is now avoided in modern Spanish because it incorrectly implies that Muslims worship the prophet Muhammad.
- In some historical Spanish contexts, the term agareno was used to identify Muslims by linking them to 'Hagar', the biblical mother of Ishmael.
Examples in context
- Él es un verdadero musulmán.He is a true Muslim.This sentence shows how to use the masculine form musulmán to describe a person.Tatoeba #1327756 by marcelostockle, translation #447941 by FeuDRenais
- Pakistán es un país musulmán.Pakistan is a Muslim country.This sentence shows the adjective use of musulmán to describe a country.Tatoeba #2583407 by hayastan, translation #477053 by CK
- Soy musulmán y no como cerdo.I am Muslim and I don't eat pig.This sentence uses musulmán to state a person's religion and dietary practice.Tatoeba #12679967 by Shishir, translation #8013606 by OsoHombre
- Juan tiene varios amigos musulmanes provenientes de Marruecos.Juan has several Muslim friends from Morocco.
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are talking about their new neighbor.
- Sofía¿Sabes si el nuevo vecino es musulmán?Do you know if the new neighbor is Muslim?
- DanielSí, Daniel me dijo que él es musulmán.Yes, Daniel told me that he is Muslim.
- SofíaQué bien, podemos invitarlo a cenar.That's great, we can invite him to dinner.
- DanielClaro, solo recuerda no cocinar cerdo.Sure, just remember not to cook pork.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “muslim” translations and entries musulmán, moro, mahometano, sarraceno, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries moro, musulmán, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
