ninja
/ˈninʝa/masculine
ninja is the Spanish word for ninja.
The term refers to a spy and mercenary from pre-modern Japan.
Meaning: spy and mercenary in pre-modern Japan (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The default masculine form is ninja. You can use the word as a feminine noun by using feminine articles, such as la ninja. To form the plural, use ninjas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈninʝa/
Did you know?
- The word ninja is borrowed directly from the Japanese 忍者, where the first character means 'endure' or 'patience' and the second means 'person'.
- In Spanish, the word ninja is used as a slang adjective to describe someone who is exceptionally skilled or stealthy at a particular task, regardless of whether it involves combat.
- In some Spanish-speaking contexts, calling someone a ninja can be a way of jokingly implying they are being too secretive or suspiciously quiet about their activities.
Examples in context
- Las Tortugas Ninja es mi juego favorito.Ninja Turtles is my favorite game.This sentence uses ninja to refer to the title of a game.Tatoeba #1862955 by Shishir, translation #1126769 by CK
- Vi a un hombre que iba vestido como un ninja.I saw a man dressed as a ninja.This sentence uses ninja to describe someone's clothing.Tatoeba #1143525 by Shishir, translation #2727669 by catcher
- Él es ninja.He's a ninja.This sentence uses ninja to describe someone's profession.Tatoeba #3762351 by Seael, translation #2276568 by Hybrid
- Aprendí a lanzar estrellas ninja viendo películas de acción.I learned how to throw ninja stars by watching action movies.
- Este videojuego te permite ponerte en la piel de un asesino silencioso en el antiguo Japón.This video game allows you to step into the shoes of a silent assassin in ancient Japan.
- Me gusta leer sobre la historia de los guerreros sigilosos japoneses.I enjoy reading about the history of Japanese stealth warriors.
- Los ninjas de las películas de kung fu me parecen muy hábiles.The ninjas in kung fu movies seem very skillful to me.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a historical movie at home.
- MaríaEse ninja era muy rápido en la película.That ninja was very fast in the movie.
- DanielSí, el ninja también era muy silencioso.Yes, the ninja was also very silent.
- María¿Te gusta el cine de acción, Daniel?Do you like action movies, Daniel?
- DanielMe encanta, sobre todo si hay ninjas.I love it, especially if there are ninjas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ninja” translations and entries ninja, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ninja, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
