Spanish to English

don

USAGE NOTE

In Spanish-speaking countries, "don" is often used as a title of respect with a man's name. When it is used with a first name only, it is not translated directly as shown in sense 1c).

don(

dohn

)

A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g. el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).

masculine noun

1. (form of address; used with first or full names)

a. Mr.

Tengo una cita con don Carlos Jiménez a las dos.I have an appointment with Mr. Carlos Jiménez at two.

b. Esq. (in correspondence)

Sr. Don Ángel DomínguezÁngel Domínguez, Esq.

This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.

no direct translation

Recibí una carta de don Pedro.I received a letter from Peter.

Don Pablo, ya puede pasar al despacho.Pablo, if you'd like to go into the office now, sir.

A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).

(colloquial)

(before a common noun)

a. Mr.

Regionalism used in the United States

(United States)

¡Mira quién habló, don Perfecto!Look who's talking, Mr. Perfect!

b. Mr (United Kingdom)

Aquí don Videojuegos no aparta los ojos de la pantalla.Mr Videogames here can't take his eyes off the screen.

3. (ability)

a. gift

Tiene un don especial para tratar con la gente problemática.She has a special gift for dealing with problematic people.

b. talent

Tiene un don para el violín.She has a special talent for the violin.

A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).

(literary)

(present)

a. gift

Los tres Reyes de Oriente portaban dones para el nuevo Mesías.The Three Kings from the East bore gifts for the new Messiah.

A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).

(colloquial)

(term of address)

Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.

(Latin America)

a. buddy

A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).

(colloquial)

Regionalism used in the United States

(United States)

¿En qué puedo servirle, don?How can I help you, buddy?

b. mate

A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).

(colloquial)

(United Kingdom)

¿Cuántos quiere, don?How many do you want, mate?

don

masculine noun

1. (tratamiento)

don Andrés Iturbe Mr Andrés Iturbe; Andrés Iturbe Esquire (en cartas)
don Andrés Mr Iturbe

2. gift (habilidad)

don de mando leadership qualities
tener el don de la palabra to have the gift of speech; (cualidad humana) to be a gifted speaker (de orador)
tener don de gentes to have a way with people

don

1 (talento) gift

tiene un don especial para la música she has a special gift for music; tiene don con los niños she has a way with children

don de gentes

tener don de gentes to know how to handle people; be good with people

tiene don de gentes

don de lenguas gift for languages

don de mando leadership qualities

plural

; (p) (Mil) generalship

don de palabra gift of the gab (familiar); gift of gab (familiar); (EEUU)

2 (deseo) wish

el hada le concedió tres dones the fairy gave him three wishes

3 (regalo) gift

don

1 (tratamiento de cortesía)

Don (en carta, sobre) Esquire; Sr. Don Fernando García (en correspondencia) Mr F. García; Fernando García Esq.; ¿habéis visto a don Fernando? have you seen Mr García?; es don perfecto, él cree que nunca se equivoca he thinks he's Mr Perfect and never makes a mistake; el rey don Pedro King Peter

Juan

2 (Arg) (Col) (tratamiento popular) mate (familiar); buddy (familiar); (EEUU)

A courtesy title, don/doña placed before the first name of an older or more senior man/woman is a way of showing them your respect when talking to them or about them. E.g. "¿Podría hablar con don César Roca?", "Buenos días doña Alicia. ¿Qué tal su viaje?" Although now becoming rarer, in Spain Don and Doña, often abbreviated to D. and Dña., are commonly used before full names on official documents and contracts. In formal correspondence, they are used in combination with Sr., Sra. and Srta., e.g. Sr. D. Bernardo Esplugas Martín, Sra. Dña. Ana Rodríguez.

Collins Complete Spanish Electronic Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

Examples

Phrases

cómo saluda don Diego a la señora Díaz	how Mr. Diego says hello to Mrs. Diaz how does Mr. Diego says hello to Mrs. Diaz
¿Qué es, don Mario?	What is it, don Mario?
es antipático don Antonio	is Mr. Antonio unpleasant
don Pablo	Mr. Pablo
tener don de gente	to have people skills
¿Por qué discuten los muchachos cuando llega don Diego?	Why do the boys argue when Diego arrives?
don nadie	a nobody
don de gentes	people skills
tener don de gentes	to be a people person