Spanisch
/ˈʃpaːnɪʃ/neuter
In German, "spanish" is translated as Spanisch.
Spanisch is used as a noun to name the Romance language of Spain and the Americas. When the word is used as an adjective to describe something pertaining to Spain or the Spanish language, it is written in lowercase as spanisch.
Meaning: Romance language of Spain and the Americas (name)
Which one should you use?
The capitalized form Spanisch refers to the language as a noun, while the lowercase spanisch is used for adjectives, such as in the phrase spanische Musik (Spanish music).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adjective, the word spanisch is not capitalized unless it appears at the beginning of a sentence. As a noun, Spanisch is neuter.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃpaːnɪʃ/
Did you know?
- In German, the word Spanisch can be used as an idiom for something completely incomprehensible. If someone is talking nonsense, a German might say they are speaking Spanisch, even if the person is actually speaking German.
- While English uses 'Spanish' for both the language and the people, German uses Spanisch for the language and Spanier for the people, making it impossible to use the same word for both.
- While Spanisch names the language, the German word for the country itself is Spanien.
Examples in context
- Wo lernst du Spanisch?Where are you learning Spanish?This sentence is useful for asking someone where they are learning Spanisch.Tatoeba #7870849 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #9444574 by sundown
- Wo lernt ihr Spanisch?Where are you studying Spanish?This sentence is useful for asking a group of people where they are studying Spanisch.Tatoeba #13600629 by Waldelfe, translation #9444575 by sundown
- Spanisch ist im Kommen.Spanish on the way.Tatoeba #1678774 by al_ex_an_der, translation #1678775 by al_ex_an_der
- Ich spreche Spanisch.I speak Spanish.
- Sie möchten einen Spanischkurs belegen.You would like to take a Spanish course.
- Kannst du Spanisch sprechen?Can you speak Spanish?
- Ich liebe Spanisch!I love Spanish!
- Wir nehmen einen Spanischkurs zusammen.We are taking a Spanish course together.
- Ich möchte Spanisch lernen.I want to learn Spanish.
- Kannst du mir Spanisch beibringen?Can you teach me Spanish?
- Spanisch ist eine wunderschöne Sprache.Spanish is a beautiful language.
- 326 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Laura are talking about their university courses.
- MaximilianIst Spanisch ein schweres Fach?Is Spanish a difficult subject?
- LauraNein, ich finde Spanisch sehr schön.No, I find Spanish very beautiful.
- MaximilianSprichst du auch gut Spanisch?Do you also speak Spanish well?
- LauraNur ein bisschen, aber ich übe viel.Only a little, but I practice a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spanish” translations and entries Spanisch, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Pronunciation from the Wiktionary entry spanisch.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
