español
/espaˈɲol/
The English phrase 'spanish language' is translated to Spanish as español.
For more formal or academic contexts, you can use el idioma español or la lengua española to specify the Spanish language.
Which one should you use?
While español can stand alone as a noun, when it is used as an adjective (for example, to say 'Spanish food'), it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies, such as comida española.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the language as a noun, it is common to use the definite article el before español.
How do you pronounce it?
/espaˈɲol/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Unlike in English, the names of languages such as español are not capitalized in Spanish unless they appear at the beginning of a sentence.
Did you know?
- The root of español may come from a Punic word meaning 'coast of hyraxes'. This suggests the name of the language is tied to an ancient animal found on the coast.
- Spanish speakers use the word lengua for 'language' in phrases like la lengua española, but lengua also means 'tongue' in a literal biological sense.
Examples in context
- Yo más bien hablaba del idioma español, y de cómo los jóvenes hoy en día modernizan el lenguaje de esta manera.I was talking about the Spanish language, and how youngsters nowadays modernize it like so.This sentence is useful for discussing how the Spanish language is modernized by young people.Tatoeba #9193029 by hayastan, translation #9194403 by LimeGreenTeknii
- He estudiado la lengua española y aprendido muchos hechos acerca de la geografía, la historia, y la literatura de los países hispanohablantes, pero hasta ahora nunca he tenido la oportunidad de hablar con gente de esos países.I've studied the Spanish language, and I've learned many things about the geography, history, and literature of Spanish-speaking countries, but until now, I've never had the opportunity to talk to people from those countries.This sentence is useful for describing the study of the Spanish language and its connections to history and geography.Tatoeba #1689361 by marcelostockle, translation #7633933 by kaesekaiser
- La lengua española es hermana de la lengua francesa.The Spanish language is sister to the French language.This sentence is useful for comparing the Spanish language to the French language.Tatoeba #12078032 by carlosalberto, translation #12078019 by carlosalberto
- Me gustaría aprender el idioma español para comunicarme con fluidez.I would like to learn the Spanish language to communicate fluently.
- La lengua española tiene una rica historia literaria.The Spanish language has a rich literary history.
- Me encanta hablar español. Suena tan melodioso.I love speaking Spanish, it sounds so melodic.
- ¿Sabes hablar bien castellano?Do you speak Castilian Spanish well?
- Mi amiga está aprendiendo español latinoamericano para entender mejor las telenovelas.My friend is learning Latin American Spanish to better understand soap operas.
- El profesor de español de España nos enseña sobre la cultura ibérica.The Spanish teacher from Spain teaches us about Iberian culture.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are talking about their language studies at a cafe.
- DanielMe gusta mucho estudiar el español.I really like studying Spanish.
- SofíaEs un idioma muy bonito, Daniel.It is a very beautiful language, Daniel.
- Daniel¿Quieres practicar el español conmigo?Do you want to practice Spanish with me?
- SofíaSí, me encantaría.Yes, I would love to.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry español, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries español, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
