Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
MALE in Spanish: MASCULINO
Masculino · adjective · mahs-koo-LEE-noh
The concept of 'male' maps onto several Spanish words depending on context. Masculino works for forms, biology, and grammar, while varón specifically refers to a human male in official or formal contexts. Macho is reserved for animals and biological science—though English borrowed it to mean 'aggressively masculine,' that connotation is weaker in standard Spanish. Knowing which word to choose prevents awkward misunderstandings in medical, legal, and everyday settings.
mahs-koo-LEE-noh
El formulario pide que marques si eres masculino o femenino.
The form asks you to mark whether you are male or female.
Male in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for male, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| masculino | male | mahs-koo-LEE-noh | Default, widely understood |
| varón | male | human male, formal | |
| macho | male | animals/biology | |
| hombre | male | colloquial for male person |
How Native Speakers Use Masculino
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Official Forms
Sexo: masculino.
Sex: male.
Masculino appears on identification documents, medical records, and registration forms.
Biology Class
El león macho protege a la manada.
The male lion protects the pride.
Macho is the standard adjective for male animals in biological contexts.
Formal Register
Nacieron tres varones y dos mujeres este mes.
Three males and two females were born this month.
Varón is used in hospitals and official records for newborn males.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Masculino
Using macho for people casually
Incorrect: Él es muy macho en la oficina.
Correct: Él es muy masculino en su forma de vestir.
In Spanish, calling a person macho in a non-biological context can sound old-fashioned or carry stereotypical connotations. Masculino is the neutral descriptor for people.
Confusing masculino with the English 'masculine'
Incorrect: His masculino energy is strong.
Correct: Su energía masculina es fuerte.
Masculino is the Spanish adjective and must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies—here, energía is feminine, so the adjective becomes masculina.
Lock in Male Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Masculino used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using masculino in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El formulario pide que marques si eres masculino o femenino. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Male in Spanish
- When should I use varón instead of masculino?
- Varón is a noun referring specifically to a human male and appears in legal, medical, and demographic contexts—birth certificates, census data, hospital records. Masculino functions as an adjective and covers broader uses including grammar (género masculino) and form-filling.
- Does macho have the same meaning in Spanish as in English?
- In standard Spanish, macho primarily refers to a male animal (gato macho, perro macho) or the biological sex of an organism. The exaggerated 'tough guy' meaning that English borrowed from the word is present in Spanish slang but is far less dominant than in English pop culture.
- How do I ask someone's gender on a form in Spanish?
- The standard phrasing is Sexo: masculino / femenino or Género: masculino / femenino / otro. More inclusive modern forms may include no binario or prefiero no decir (prefer not to say).