sabio
/ˈsabjo/masculine
The Spanish phrase for 'wise man' is sabio.
It can function as a noun to mean 'wise man' or as an adjective to mean 'wise', such as in the phrase 'un hombre sabio' (a wise man).
Meaning: wise man (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term Erudito is used specifically to describe a learned or scholarly wise man.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes based on gender and number: sabio is the masculine singular form. sabia is the feminine singular form (wise woman). sabios is the masculine plural form, which can refer to a group of men or a mixed-gender group of wise people. And sabias is the feminine plural form (wise women).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsabjo/
Did you know?
- The root of sabio is actually connected to the sense of taste. It comes from the Latin 'sapidus', meaning 'tasty' or 'flavorful', implying that a wise person is someone who has truly 'tasted' or experienced life.
- In Spanish, the term los Reyes Magos (the Three Wise Men) uses the word for 'kings' rather than sabios, even though they are translated as 'Wise Men' in English.
- The adjective sabio can be used ironically in Spanish to describe someone who thinks they know everything but is actually mistaken.
Examples in context
- Zamenhof era un hombre muy sabio.Zamenhof was a very wise man.This sentence uses sabio to describe a man who was very wise.Tatoeba #9577560 by hayastan, translation #9577558 by DJ_Saidez
- Un hombre sabio se beneficia de sus errores.A wise man profits from his mistakes.This sentence uses sabio as an adjective to describe a wise man.Tatoeba #9244087 by ecorralest101, translation #239384 by CK
- Una vez un sabio dijo que la vida es una secuencia de desilusiones.A wise man once said, life is a series of disappointments.This sentence uses sabio as a noun to refer to a wise man.Tatoeba #1364621 by Kiraness, translation #1008937 by AOCinJAPAN
- Este hombre es un sabio en su campo.This man is a wise man in his field.
- Debemos escuchar los consejos de los sabios.We should listen to the advice of wise men.
- Mi abuelo es un sabio viejo lleno de historias.My grandfather is a wise old man full of stories.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are discussing a book about philosophy.
- MateoEste autor parece un sabio moderno.This author seems like a modern wise man.
- MaríaTienes razón, sus consejos son muy útiles.You are right, his advice is very useful.
- MateoMe gustaría hablar con un sabio así.I would like to talk to a wise man like that.
- MaríaYo también, Mateo, sería una gran experiencia.Me too, Mateo, it would be a great experience.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wise man” translations and entries sabio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sabio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
