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doña

doña (Spanish honorific for a woman)

noun DOH-nyah Rare
People & Society Honorifics

Origin: from Spanish doña, honorific from Latin domina (lady)

Usage Note

Doña is a Spanish honorific used before a woman's first name to indicate respect or social standing, equivalent to 'Madam' or 'Lady.' It appears in French texts when referring to Spanish-speaking or Latin American women of status. It is not a French-native word and is used as a borrowing. The male equivalent is don.

Examples

"Doña Carmen était respectée de tous."

Natural Translation

Doña Carmen was respected by everyone.

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