Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say "Queen" in Spanish: Reina
Reina · noun · RRAY-nah
The Spanish word for queen is reina. It applies to a female monarch (la reina de España), the most powerful chess piece (also called dama in many Spanish-speaking countries), and is widely used as an affectionate nickname, much like calling someone 'queen' or 'sweetheart' in English. The masculine counterpart is rey (king).
Reina is pronounced RRAY-nah. The r at the start of a word is always trilled in Spanish, produced by vibrating the tip of the tongue against the ridge behind the upper teeth.
La reina saludó a la multitud desde el balcón del palacio.
The queen greeted the crowd from the palace balcony.
Queen in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for queen, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| reina | queen | RRAY-nah | Default, widely understood |
| dama | queen | chess queen (alternate term), also 'lady' |
How Native Speakers Use Reina
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Monarchy / royalty
La reina Isabel I de Castilla financió el viaje de Colón.
Queen Isabella I of Castile financed Columbus's voyage.
Reina is the standard title for a ruling or consort queen in Spanish history and current affairs.
Chess
Moví la reina para dar jaque mate en tres jugadas.
I moved the queen to deliver checkmate in three moves.
In chess, the queen piece is called reina or dama depending on regional preference.
Term of endearment
Buenos días, reina, ¿cómo amaneciste?
Good morning, sweetheart, how did you wake up?
Reina is a warm, affectionate way to address a loved one, especially a daughter, partner, or close friend.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Reina
Confusing reina and reino
Incorrect: El reino saludó al pueblo.
Correct: La reina saludó al pueblo.
Reina (feminine) means 'queen.' Reino (masculine) means 'kingdom.' Mixing them up changes the meaning entirely.
Using masculine article with reina
Incorrect: El reina habló ante el parlamento.
Correct: La reina habló ante el parlamento.
Reina is a feminine noun and always takes the feminine article la. The masculine equivalent is el rey.
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See Reina used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Queen in Spanish
- Can I use reina as a nickname for someone?
- Reina is indeed a popular term of endearment across the Spanish-speaking world. Parents often call daughters reina, and partners use it affectionately. It carries warmth without being overly informal.
- What is the chess queen called in Spanish?
- Both reina and dama are used for the chess queen. Dama is more common in formal chess notation and in countries like Argentina and Mexico, while reina is widely understood everywhere.
- What is the male equivalent of reina?
- The male equivalent is rey (king), pronounced RRAY. Together, los reyes means 'the king and queen' or 'the monarchs,' as in los Reyes de España.