How to Say Man in Spanish (Hombre)

November 13, 2025 - By Michel Stova

When I first heard the Spanish word “hombre,” it was in a small café in Madrid. A waiter smiled and said, “Gracias, hombre.”
It wasn’t just a word — it was friendly, casual, and respectful all at once.

In Spanish, hombre means “man”, but its meaning stretches far beyond gender. It reflects character, strength, kindness, and even camaraderie. You might hear it in phrases like “¡Vamos, hombre!” (Come on, man!) or “Es un buen hombre” (He’s a good man).

Across cultures, the word man carries emotional, moral, and cultural depth — from protector to friend, from symbol of courage to figure of compassion. Let’s explore how languages around the world define “man” and what it truly means to be one.

🗺️ Table: How to Say “Man” in Different Languages

Language	Word/Phrase for “Man”	Cultural Insight
Spanish	Hombre	Means “man” or “human being”; reflects respect and humanity.
English	Man	Used for adult male; also symbolizes humanity (“mankind”).
French	Homme	Derived from Latin “homo”; used for both “man” and “person.”
Italian	Uomo	Related to the word “human”; used formally and respectfully.
German	Mann	Denotes strength, reliability, and familial roles.
Portuguese	Homem	Both a biological and moral term for an adult male.
Turkish	Adam	Means “man” or “person”; same root as biblical “Adam.”
Arabic	Rajul (رَجُل)	Conveys masculinity tied to honor and integrity.
Hindi	Ādmī (आदमी)	Derived from “Adam”; means “man” or “person.”
Chinese (Mandarin)	Nánrén (男人)	Literally “male person”; emphasizes gender identity.
Japanese	Otoko (男)	Represents male identity and traditional strength.
Swahili	Mwanaume	Means “grown man”; linked to maturity and responsibility.
Zulu	Indoda	Manhood is tied to bravery and community role.
Hawaiian	Kāne	Also the name of the Hawaiian god of creation.
Maori (New Zealand)	Tāne	Means “man”; symbolizes balance with nature.

🇪🇺 European Languages: Manhood, Identity, and Honor

Europe’s languages show that the word “man” often carries both biological and moral weight.

Spanish — Hombre: Used widely in idioms like “¡Vamos, hombre!” (Come on, man!). It implies friendship, humanity, and respect.
French — Homme: Elegant and gendered but also philosophical — as in “les droits de l’homme” (human rights).
Italian — Uomo: Represents both the physical and ethical sides of being a man.
German — Mann: Sturdy and straightforward, tied to discipline and family responsibility.
Portuguese — Homem: Reflects courage and leadership, especially in southern Europe’s family-oriented culture.
Greek — Ándras (Άνδρας): Connected to ancient ideals of heroism and nobility.

In Europe, language blends gender and humanity — the word “man” is as much about character as biology.

🌏 Asian Languages: Spiritual Masculinity and Social Duty

Asia’s languages reveal that “man” is not only about strength — it’s about balance, wisdom, and inner calm.

Arabic — Rajul (رَجُل): The Arabic root r-j-l relates to standing upright, symbolizing integrity and courage.
Hindi — Ādmī (आदमी): Common in India; derived from Adam, representing both man and humanity.
Mandarin — Nánrén (男人): A neutral, descriptive term meaning “male person.”
Japanese — Otoko (男): Embodies courage and honor in Japanese society; often idealized in samurai culture.
Korean — Namja (남자): Represents maturity and responsibility.
Turkish — Adam: Means “man” or “person”; interestingly, used in idioms like “Adam olmak” — “to be a real man,” meaning to be honorable.
Thai — Phu-chai (ผู้ชาย): Literally “male person,” often used respectfully.
Persian — Mard (مرد): Means “man”; connected with bravery and moral strength.
Indonesian — Pria: A modern, formal term for man; derived from Sanskrit.

In Asian cultures, being a man often intertwines with values like dignity, wisdom, and self-control.

🌍 African Languages: Manhood and Community

African expressions of manhood focus on duty, protection, and belonging.

Swahili — Mwanaume: Comes from “child” (mwana) + “male” (ume); manhood is a stage of responsibility.
Zulu — Indoda: To be a man is to contribute to the community.
Yoruba — Okunrin: Symbolizes maturity and social standing.
Hausa — Namiji: Literally “male”; often associated with strength and leadership.
Amharic — Sew: Means “person” but implies “man” depending on context.
Shona — Murume: Rooted in social and family identity.
Akan — Barima: Means “man”; linked with valor.
Somali — Nin: Reflects courage and social role.
Berber — Agmar: Means “man” or “warrior.”
Wolof — Gór: Represents respect, integrity, and duty.

African greetings and phrases show that manhood is communal, not individual — to be a man is to serve others.

🌺 Indigenous & Island Cultures: The Sacred Masculine

In many Indigenous and island languages, the word “man” holds spiritual significance.

Hawaiian — Kāne: The name of a god; represents life, sunlight, and creation.
Maori — Tāne: A deity symbolizing nature and the forest; embodies balance and growth.
Samoan — Ali’i: Refers to noblemen or chiefs; leadership through service.
Cherokee — Asgaya: Means “man,” often connected with warrior spirit.
Tahitian — Tāne: Represents fertility and harmony.
Fijian — Tagane: “Man” in general, but also a symbol of strength and stewardship.
Inuit — Anguti: “Man” or “male”; traditionally the provider.
Guaraní — Ava: Means “man,” but also “person” — the embodiment of the tribe.

These cultures see manhood as a sacred balance between strength, service, and connection to the earth.

💬 Cultural Insights: How “Hombre” Reflects Humanity

The Spanish hombre is fascinating — it blurs the line between “man” and “human.”
You can say “los hombres” to mean “men,” or “los derechos de los hombres” to mean “human rights.”

This reflects the inclusiveness of the word’s Latin root homo, meaning human being.
So when someone says “Es un buen hombre” (He’s a good man), it’s not just about gender — it’s a statement about kindness, integrity, and humanity.

🌸 Proverbs About Manhood and Humanity

Spanish: “El hombre propone y Dios dispone.” — “Man proposes, but God disposes.”
Arabic: “A man’s worth is in what he does, not what he says.”
Swahili: “Mwanaume ni kitendo.” — “A man is his actions.”
Japanese: “Otoko wa tsuyoku, yasashiku.” — “A man should be strong and gentle.”
English: “The measure of a man is what he does with power.” — Plato

These sayings show that across time and geography, being a man means having character, not just identity.

❓ FAQs

Q1: How do you say “man” in Spanish?
You say “hombre.” It means “man” or “human being.”

Q2: How do you pronounce “hombre”?
It’s pronounced “OHM-breh.” The “h” is silent in Spanish.

Q3: Does “hombre” only mean a male person?
No — it can also mean “human” in older or formal contexts, depending on how it’s used.

Q4: What’s the feminine form of “hombre”?
The feminine equivalent is “mujer,” which means “woman.”

Q5: What are common Spanish expressions with “hombre”?

¡Vamos, hombre! — “Come on, man!”
Es un buen hombre. — “He’s a good man.”
Hombre de palabra. — “A man of his word.”

❤️ Conclusion: The Universal Meaning of “Man”

Whether it’s “hombre,” “homo,” “adam,” or “mwanaume,” the word “man” connects cultures through shared values — strength, compassion, integrity, and love.

Learning how to say man in Spanish is more than translation; it’s about understanding humanity’s reflection in a single word.

💬 Now it’s your turn:
How do you say “man” in your language? Drop it in the comments and share what it means in your culture. Let’s celebrate the many meanings of manhood around the world. 🌎