When you’re first learning Spanish, it might seem like español is the only word you need to know for “Spanish.” While this key term will allow you to identify the language, mastering how to say “Spanish” in Spanish goes beyond a single word.
To communicate effectively, it’s essential to broaden your knowledge to include terms like castellano, which specifically refers to the language of Spain, or española to describe a feminine object or person of Spanish origin.
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Saying ‘Spanish’ in Spanish as a noun
Common Spanish nouns are the building blocks of communication, and el español specifically opens up conversations about the Spanish language itself. Unlike in English, names of languages are not capitalized in Spanish.
El español
The most common Spanish word for “Spanish” is el español. It’s a masculine noun, following the usual Spanish grammatical gender rule for words ending in “-l.”
You’ll hear español used in a variety of contexts, often alongside common Spanish verbs like hablar (to speak), estudiar (to study), and saber (to know), to talk about one’s abilities and experiences with the language. You’ll also use it to describe the characteristics and presence of the language itself.
For example:
- ¿Hablas español? = Do you speak Spanish?
- Estudié español en Costa Rica. = I studied Spanish in Costa Rica.
- El español es una lengua romance. = Spanish is a romance language.
El castellano
If you asked a native Spanish speaker how to say “Spanish,” they would likely respond with español, unless they are from Spain and want to distinguish it from other co-official languages.
El castellano, which refers specifically to the Castilian Spanish dialect that originated in the region of Castile, is frequently used to differentiate the Spanish language from regional languages like Catalan, Galician, and Basque. It can also be used simply as a synonym of español.
- ¿Hablas castellano? = Do you speak Spanish?
- En esta región se habla tanto catalán como castellano. = Both Catalan and Spanish are spoken in this region.
Los españoles
Los españoles also translates to “Spanish,” and refers to the inhabitants of Spain. It’s a plural noun, often accompanied by the Spanish definite article los.
Here’s how to use los españoles in context:
- Los españoles son apasionados por el fútbol. = The Spanish are passionate about soccer.
- ¿Qué piensan los españoles sobre la Unión Europea? = What do the Spanish think about the European Union?
How to say ‘Spanish’ as an adjective
Nationalities are among the most common Spanish adjectives, making español, along with its variations española, españoles, and españolas, indispensable for describing anything connected to Spain, whether it’s a person, object, or abstract idea.
Español
Español and its plural form españoles are used to describe masculine nouns related to Spain or the Spanish language. If you’re already familiar with adjective placement in Spanish, you may know that español or españoles will typically come after the noun they modify. For example:
- Me interesa el arte español. = I’m interested in Spanish art.
- Prefiero los restaurantes españoles. = I prefer Spanish restaurants.
Española
Just like its masculine counterpart, española (and españolas) is a feminine adjective used to indicate Spanish origin and characteristics.
Here are some examples:
- Conocí a una mujer española en el viaje. = I met a Spanish woman on the trip.
- Esa es la bandera española. = That is the Spanish flag.
Key takeaways about the word ‘Spanish’
To master how to say “Spanish” in Spanish, remember these key points and actively apply them in conversations with Spanish-speakers or your next session with a knowledgeable Rosetta Stone tutor, who will give you feedback on your pronunciation, grammar, and more.
- El español is the most common translation for “Spanish” in Spanish.
- El español is used as a singular noun to refer to the Spanish language and a plural noun (los españoles) to refer to the inhabitants of Spain.
- Español, and its variations española, españoles, and españolas, are adjectives used to describe people and objects related to Spain.
- El castellano, another translation of “Spanish,” specifically refers to the Castilian Spanish dialect, used to differentiate it from other co-official languages in Spain like Catalan, Galician, and Basque.
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