Spanish word of the day: Gentilicio

What does gentilicio mean?

Gentilicio (masculine noun) — The word used to describe the people from a particular place, usually a city, region, or country. In English, we’d say “demonym,”. For example, someone from Madrid is a madrileño, and someone from Argentina is an argentino—those are both gentilicios.

Example sentences with gentilicio

• ¿Sabes cuál es el gentilicio de Barcelona? Es “barcelonés”.
  🏙️ Do you know what you call someone from Barcelona? It’s “barcelonés.”

• El gentilicio de México es “mexicano”.
  🇲🇽 The demonym for Mexico is “mexicano.”

• Siempre me confundo con los gentilicios de ciudades pequeñas.
  🤔 I always get confused with the demonyms for small towns.

Gentilicio in context

Gentilicio is a word that comes in handy any time you’re talking about origins, identity, or even just making conversation about travel and culture. If you’re learning Spanish, you’ll notice that people love to ask where you’re from—and knowing the right gentilicio helps you sound more fluent and connected. It’s not just about geography; it’s about belonging and pride. When you use the correct gentilicio, you’re showing respect for local identity, and it’s a small detail that can make a big difference in how you’re received.

You’ll find gentilicio used in news articles, introductions, and even sports commentary. If you ever visit a new place, asking about the local gentilicio is a great icebreaker. And if you get it wrong, don’t worry—locals are usually happy to correct you and explain the story behind their word. So next time you meet someone new, try asking, “¿Cuál es tu gentilicio?” It’s a simple way to connect and learn something new about the place you are visiting.