Hombre blanco
/ombɾe blanko/from spelling rules
The English phrase "white guy" is translated into Spanish as Hombre blanco.
Hombre blanco is used to describe a man with light-colored skin.
Which one should you use?
While Hombre blanco refers specifically to a man, if you are referring to a younger man or a peer, chico blanco is a more common way to say "white guy".
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form is hombres blancos, where both the noun and the adjective take the plural suffix. In Spanish, the adjective must agree in gender with the masculine noun hombre.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use Hombre blanca to mean "white woman". The phrase is grammatically incorrect because the adjective must agree in gender with the masculine noun hombre.
Did you know?
- The word hombre shares a surprising linguistic history with the word hambre, meaning 'hunger'. Both words evolved from ancient forms where a 'b' sound appeared before the 'r', a process called dissimilation.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, calling someone blanco can be a neutral description or a social marker, but using güero in Mexico is a very common cultural alternative for a light-skinned or blond man.
- While hombre blanco is literal, Spanish speakers often use the term gringo specifically to refer to a 'white guy' from the United States.
Examples in context
- Mi jefe es un hombre blanco muy educado.My boss is a very polite white man.
- Ayer conocí a un chico blanco muy simpático en el parque.Yesterday I met a friendly white boy at the park.
- Ese hombre blanco es muy alto.That white guy is very tall.
- Vi a un hombre blanco en la tienda.I saw a white guy in the store.
- El hombre blanco lleva una camisa azul.The white guy is wearing a blue shirt.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are looking for a colleague in a crowd.
- Daniel¿Puedes ver a nuestro jefe?Can you see our boss?
- LucíaSí, es el hombre blanco junto a la puerta.Yes, he is the white guy by the door.
- DanielAh, ya lo veo.Ah, I see him now.
- LucíaVamos a saludarlo, Daniel.Let's go greet him, Daniel.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries blanco, hombre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
