Spanish Conversation · Level 85
60 words
Spanish word
califa
Pronunciation
IPA/kaˈlifa/
Meaning
- masculine nouncaliph
Example
El califa habló al pueblo.
The caliph spoke to the people.
More examples
En conversaciones sobre historia local, se habla del califa.
In conversations about local history, people talk about the caliph.
Core concept
Religious successor to the prophet who also governs an Islamic state.
Common phrases
hablar del califa
talk about the caliph
la época del califa
the caliph's era
Similar words
rey: Hereditary sovereign ruling a kingdom by royal authority.
sultán: Muslim ruler wielding military and secular power over large territories.
emir: Regional Muslim leader governing a province or tribal territory.
imán: Islamic religious leader who leads prayer and provides spiritual guidance.
Definition in Spanish
Título histórico del gobernante supremo de un estado islámico, con funciones religiosas y políticas y considerado sucesor del profeta.
Word origin
The Spanish word derives from Arabic khalifa meaning 'successor', from the root khalafa 'to follow', and entered Spanish via medieval al-Andalus and Latin texts.
Usage tips
- Although califa ends in -a, Spanish treats it as a masculine title (el califa), so the ending does not indicate a female officeholder.
Related words
- califatocaliphatenoun