dueño
/ˈdweɲo/masculine
The Spanish word for owner is dueño.
The word dueño is used to refer to one who owns property or a business. To say 'owner of [something]', you use the preposition de after the noun, such as dueño de la casa (owner of the house).
Meaning: one who owns (noun)
Which one should you use?
While dueño refers to the owner of property or a business, propietario is a more formal term often used in legal or official contexts for the same meaning.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Caribbean, particularly in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, the term patrón can carry a connotation associated with employment, particularly for domestic workers.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular form is dueño. The feminine form is dueña, and the plural form is dueños.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdweɲo/
Did you know?
- The word dueño is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'dominate'. Both originate from the Latin word dominus, which described a master of a household.
- While dueño refers to ownership, it can also be used to describe someone who has mastery or control over their own emotions and impulses.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the term patrón is not just a synonym for 'owner' but can imply a paternalistic relationship where the employer is responsible for the worker's well-being.
Examples in context
- No soy el dueño.I'm not the owner.This sentence is useful for practicing a simple negation with dueño.Tatoeba #9969861 by arh, translation #4964004 by CK
- ¿El dueño del auto es él?Is he the owner of that car?This sentence shows how to use dueño with the preposition de to indicate ownership of a car.Tatoeba #2928021 by marcelostockle, translation #282890 by CK
- Ni que fueras tú el dueño.As if you were the owner.This sentence uses dueño in a hypothetical context.Tatoeba #6591662 by arh, translation #10021829 by espamatics
- El señor Gómez es el propietario de la casa.Mr. Gomez is the owner of the house.
- La empresa busca un dueño con experiencia en el sector.The company is looking for an owner with experience in the sector.
- La señora Rosales es la titular del negocio.Mrs. Rosales is the owner of the business.
- El señor García es el patrón de la hacienda.Mr. Garcia is the owner of the estate.
- 43 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are standing in front of a new cafe.
- DanielEs un local muy bonito.It is a very beautiful place.
- Elena¿Sabes quién es el dueño?Do you know who the owner is?
- DanielCreo que el dueño es un joven amable.I think the owner is a kind young man.
- ElenaEntonces vamos a saludarlo.Then let's go say hello to him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “owner” translations and entries dueño, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dueño, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
