Spanish word

maestro

Pronunciation

IPA/maˈestɾo/

Meaning

  • masculine nounteacher

Example

Mi hijo tiene un maestro muy bueno.

My son has a very good teacher.

Illustration for maestro (teacher)

More examples

Mi maestro de música me corrigió la postura.

My music teacher corrected my posture.

Core concept

Teacher guiding young pupils' basic lessons and routines.

Common phrases

  • maestro de música

    music teacher

  • maestro de primaria

    primary school teacher

Similar words

profesor: Teaches academic subjects at secondary school or university levels.
docente: Provides professional classroom teaching and assessment in schools.
tutor: Gives one-to-one lessons to help a student understand or catch up.
instructor: Teaches practical skills or sports through guided practice and drills.

Definition in Spanish

Docente que se encarga de la formación básica de alumnos y de transmitir tanto conocimientos como hábitos y valores.

Word origin

Derived from Latin magister 'master, teacher', maestro historically named schoolteachers and later also extended figuratively to skilled leaders such as conductors or masters of a craft.

Usage tips

  • The English sense of maestro as a celebrated conductor or expert does not always match Spanish usage; in everyday Spanish maestro commonly refers to a schoolteacher.

Other meanings

  • conductornoun
  • expertnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word