don/doña

« Back to Glossary Index

Don is an honorific title used in Spanish language to show deference to people considered to be most powerful in a local society. The use of the title could also simply show that a person held a title of nobility at whatever level. Don was the form used to address men; doña used to address women. The title was used most prominently during the Spanish colonial period, although its usage has continued to the present day. Outside of the colonial context, the title became more like referring to someone as “mister” or “missus.”