Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Godmother in Spanish: Madrina & Comadre
Madrina · noun (feminine) · mah-DREE-nah
Godmother in Spanish is madrina. The role extends beyond baptism in Hispanic culture — a madrina may sponsor a wedding, quinceañera, or other milestone. The related term comadre describes the reciprocal relationship between a child's mother and godmother.
mah-DREE-nah — three syllables with stress on the second. The dr combination is pronounced as a single flap, similar to the tt in American English 'butter.'
Mi madrina me regaló un collar para mi quinceañera.
My godmother gave me a necklace for my quinceañera.
Godmother in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for godmother, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| madrina | godmother | mah-DREE-nah | Default, widely understood |
| comadre | godmother | informal term between the mother and godmother |
How Native Speakers Use Madrina
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Baptism
Eligieron a mi hermana como madrina del bautizo.
They chose my sister as godmother for the baptism.
Madrina de bautizo is the full formal phrase, though de bautizo is often omitted.
Wedding context
La madrina de bodas llevó las arras al altar.
The wedding godmother carried the coins to the altar.
In Mexican weddings, padrinos and madrinas sponsor specific ceremony elements.
Informal comadre
Mi comadre y yo nos juntamos todos los domingos.
My comadre and I get together every Sunday.
Comadre conveys warmth and close friendship; it is used between the mother and the godmother.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Madrina
Using madre instead of madrina
Incorrect: Ella es la madre de mi hijo en el bautizo.
Correct: Ella es la madrina de mi hijo.
Madre means mother (biological or adoptive). Madrina is the specific term for the godmother role. They share a root but are distinct words.
Confusing comadre with comadrona
Incorrect: Mi comadre me ayudó a dar a luz.
Correct: Mi comadrona me ayudó a dar a luz.
Comadre is your child's godmother; comadrona is a midwife. The words sound similar but have completely different meanings.
Lock in Godmother Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Madrina used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using madrina in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Mi madrina me regaló un collar para mi quinceañera. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Godmother in Spanish
- How do you say godmother in Spanish?
- Godmother in Spanish is madrina. It is used for baptismal godmothers, wedding sponsors, and other ceremonial roles across Spanish-speaking cultures.
- What is the difference between madrina and comadre?
- Madrina refers to the godmother in relation to the child. Comadre is the term used between the child's mother and the godmother to address each other — it signals their mutual bond.
- What is a godfather called in Spanish?
- A godfather in Spanish is padrino. Together, the godparents are los padrinos, which can refer to the godfather alone or to the couple jointly.