How to Say "Language" in Spanish
language = el idioma, la lengua, el lenguaje, el habla
Though el idioma, la lengua, el lenguaje, and el habla can all mean language, they're not always used interchangeably.
Idioma and Lengua
The words idioma and lengua are more commonly used to describe language in the sense of a system of communication, such as English or Spanish.
examples |
---|
Lenguaje
Though it can be used in the same sense as idioma and lengua, the word lenguaje is also commonly used to describe language in the sense of a particular way of speaking used by a certain group or in the sense of non-verbal communication.
examples |
---|
Habla
The word habla is often used to describe the physical capacity for speech and the way a certain person or group uses language. It's also used in combination with the name of a language in an adjectival sense, as shown in the first example below.
examples |
---|
Now that you know the difference between el idioma, la lengua, el lenguaje, and el habla, why not brush up on some fundamental Spanish phrases? Check out these articles to keep learning!
• How to Say "Good Morning" in Spanish
• How to Say "Goodbye" in Spanish
• What Does "¿Qué Pasa?" Mean?
• What Does "¿Cómo Está Usted?" Mean?