molino de viento
/moˌlino de ˈbjento/masculine
The English phrase windmill is translated into Spanish as molino de viento.
While molino de viento is the specific term for a windmill, you may often hear the shorter form molino used to refer to any type of mill, such as a water mill or a flour mill, depending on the context.
Meaning: structure (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of molino (mill) and de viento (of wind).
Which one should you use?
molino de viento specifically identifies a windmill, whereas molino alone is a general term for any mill.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/moˌlino de ˈbjento/
Did you know?
- In a literary context, such as a reading of 'Don Quixote', a character might refer to windmills as gigantes (giants) due to a misunderstanding.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, a molino can refer to a specific type of traditional coffee grinder rather than a large building.
- The word viento shares the same ancient roots as the English word 'vent', both descending from the Proto-Indo-European root for 'to blow'.
Examples in context
- Hay un molino de viento en la colina.There is a windmill on the hill.This sentence is useful for describing the location of a molino de viento.Tatoeba #13693998 by carlosalberto, translation #3260275 by CM
- Encontramos un hermoso molino en la cima de la colina.We found a beautiful windmill on top of the hill.
- El molino de viento es muy antiguo.The windmill is very old.
- Vimos un molino de viento desde el tren.We saw a windmill from the train.
Example conversation
Two friends are walking through a rural field.
- ElenaMira ese molino de viento, Javier.Look at that windmill, Javier.
- JavierEs un molino de viento impresionante.It is an impressive windmill.
- Elena¿Crees que todavía funciona?Do you think it still works?
- JavierNo lo creo, parece muy viejo.I don't think so, it looks very old.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “windmill” translations and entries molino de viento, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, molino, viento, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
