Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| virgen | /ˈbiɾxen/ /ˈbiɾʃen/ |
feminine, masculine |
| doncel | /donˈθel/ /donˈsel/ |
masculine |
| doncella | /donˈθeʝa/ | feminine |
| señorita | /seɲoˈɾita/ | euphemistic, feminine |
The primary meaning of virgen is a person who has never had sexual intercourse. It can be used as both a masculine and feminine noun. When used as an adjective, it can also describe something that is not yet cultivated, explored or exploited by humans or certain civilizations. Additionally, la Virgen specifically refers to Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Which one should you use?
While virgen is the standard term, doncella is a more literary or archaic way to refer to a young, unmarried woman or maiden. The term señorita can be used as a euphemism to imply a woman is a virgin.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In formal contexts, one might use the phrase Persona que no ha tenido relaciones sexuales or the indirect and polite phrase Inexperto/a en el ámbito sexual to describe someone who is inexperienced in sexual matters. The word señorita serves as a euphemism meaning young lady or miss.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
virgen can be used as a masculine or feminine noun. The term doncel is a masculine noun, while doncella is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbiɾxen/
Did you know?
- The word virgen is a semi-learned borrowing from Latin virginem. If it had evolved naturally through Spanish phonetic changes, it would have become vercen.
- While doncella is the feminine form, the masculine doncel was historically used in Spanish courts to describe young noblemen who served a king before being knighted.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the term virgen is so closely tied to the Catholic Virgen María that using it for people can carry a heavier moral or religious weight than in English.
Examples in context
- Tom todavía es virgen.Tom is still a virgin.This sentence uses virgen to show someone's current status.Tatoeba #1495207 by hayastan, translation #1495186 by Spamster
- Isaac Newton murió virgen.Isaac Newton died a virgin.This sentence uses virgen to describe a person's state at the time of death.Tatoeba #5052355 by don_ramon, translation #2569379 by Hybrid
- Si muero, quiero morir virgen.If I die, I want to die a virgin.This sentence uses virgen to express a personal desire regarding one's state at death.Tatoeba #1624775 by marcelostockle, translation #1624849 by marcelostockle
- Ella es una mujer virgenShe is a virgin woman
- Él aún es virgenHe is still a virgin
- Ella es una persona que no ha tenido relaciones sexualesShe is a person who hasn't had sexual relations
- Él es inexperto en el ámbito sexualHe is inexperienced in sexual matters
- Ella es pura todavíaShe is still a virgin
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a character in a novel.
- MaríaLa protagonista es una virgen.The protagonist is a virgin.
- Mateo¿Y el protagonista es virgen también?And is the protagonist a virgin too?
- MaríaNo, Mateo, él no lo es.No, Mateo, he is not.
- MateoEntiendo, es una historia diferente.I see, it is a different story.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “virgin” translations and entries virgen, doncel, doncella, señorita, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries doncel, doncella, señorita, virgen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
