Spanish Conversation · Level 61
76 words
Spanish word
caballero
Pronunciation
IPA/kaβaˈʝeɾo/
Meaning
- masculine noungentleman
Example
Él es un caballero muy amable.
He is a very kind gentleman.
More examples
Compórtate como un caballero con los invitados.
Act like a gentleman with the guests.
Core concept
A man marked by chivalry and good manners.
Common phrases
comportarse como un caballero
act like a gentleman
un caballero educado
a well-mannered gentleman
Similar words
señor: Polite form of address for a man used as a respectful title like Mr. or sir.
hombre: Neutral adult male; the common, general word for a man.
Definition in Spanish
Hombre que actúa con cortesía y conducta honorable, mostrando buenos modales y respeto hacia otras personas.
Word origin
Derived from Latin caballarius 'horseman' via medieval Spanish, shifting from the sense 'knight' or 'horseman' to a social ideal of courteous behavior.
Usage tips
- Appears on signs as caballeros for 'men' (e.g., men's restroom) and in historical or literary contexts it often still means 'knight' rather than just a polite man.
Other meanings
- knightnoun
Opposites
- sinvergüenzashameless personnoun
- canallacadnoun
Related words
- caballerosochivalrousadjective
- caballerosamentechivalrouslyadverb