Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| sastre | /ˈsastɾe/ | feminine, masculine |
| modisto | /moˈdisto/ | masculine |
| modista | /moˈdista/ | feminine, masculine |
| costurero | /kostuˈɾeɾo/ | masculine |
The terms used for a tailor depend on the specific type of work being performed. A sastre is a professional who makes, repairs or alters clothing. For the action of making, repairing or altering clothing, you can use the verb confeccionar. If you are talking about adapting something for a specific need, you can use entallar, cohonestar or aportar.
Which one should you use?
There are distinct nuances between the different terms. sastre specifically refers to a tailor who works with structured garments such as suits and coats. In contrast, modista is a more general term often used for a dressmaker or someone who makes women's clothing and fashion. The term costurero refers more broadly to a person who performs sewing work or repairs and does not necessarily imply the high-end craft of a sastre. The term modista is commonly used to refer to a female tailor.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Although sastre is traditionally a masculine noun, in many modern contexts it can be used with a feminine article, such as la sastre, to refer to a female tailor.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsastɾe/
Did you know?
- The word sastre comes from the Latin word sartor, which meant a patcher or someone who mends clothes.
- The suffix -ero in costurero is a productive Spanish ending used to denote a trade or profession, similar to how '-er' is used in the English word 'baker'.
- The suffix '-ista' in modista functions similarly to the English '-ist', creating a noun that describes a person who practices a certain field.
Examples in context
- El padre es sastre.The father is a tailor.This sentence is useful for describing a father's profession using sastre.Tatoeba #598230 by Leono, translation #1263603 by xellugis
- Me gustaría llegar a ser sastre.I'd like to become a tailor.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to become a sastre.Tatoeba #10020780 by manufrutos, translation #6353019 by CK
- Ese sastre usa siempre muy buenos géneros.That tailor always uses very good material.This sentence is useful for noting that a sastre uses high-quality materials.Tatoeba #2267896 by hayastan, translation #2267895 by _undertoad
- Necesito llevar mi traje al sastre para que lo ajuste.I need to take my suit to the tailor for alterations
- Voy a visitar a mi modista para arreglar mi vestido nuevoI'm going to visit my tailor to fix my new dress
- Mi abuela es una excelente costureraMy grandmother is an excellent tailor
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are discussing a suit for a wedding.
- Mateo¿Conoces a un buen sastre?Do you know a good tailor?
- MaríaSí, conozco a un sastre excelente.Yes, I know an excellent tailor.
- MateoPerfecto, mi traje necesita ajustes.Perfect, my suit needs adjustments.
- MaríaEntonces ve a verlo pronto.Then go see him soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tailor” translations and entries sastre, modisto, modista, costurero, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries costurero, modista, modisto, sastre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
