In Spanish, people from Paraguay are called paraguayos (masculine/mixed groups) or paraguayas (feminine). One man is a paraguayo, one woman a paraguaya.
Paraguay doesn’t usually top the list when people name South American countries. It’s landlocked, tucked between Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia, and its profile abroad is quieter than its neighbors. That low-key reputation means the demonym for its people trips up Spanish learners who expect a simpler, more familiar pattern.
The answer is paraguayo and its gendered forms. Once you know the logic, it’s as straightforward as argentino or uruguayo. This article covers the full grammar, one surprising double meaning, and the cultural weight behind the label.
The Simple Answer: Paraguayo, Paraguaya, and Their Plurals
The masculine singular form is paraguayo. You use it for one man. The feminine singular is paraguaya, used for one woman. That -o and -a ending is the standard gender split in Spanish.
How the Spanish Demonym Works
For a mixed group or a group of men, the plural is paraguayos. For an all-female group, it’s paraguayas. The word works as both a noun and an adjective. You can say Él es paraguayo (He is a Paraguayan / He is Paraguayan) or la cultura paraguaya (the Paraguayan culture).
The suffix -guayo attaches directly to the root Para-, following the same logic as uruguayo. Once you learn the pattern, you can use it without second-guessing.
Why the Grammar of Nationalities Matters
Getting gender and number wrong is the fastest way to mark yourself as a beginner. Native speakers will understand una paraguayo, but it sounds like a mistake. Getting it right shows respect for the language and the people you’re describing.
- Masculine singular paraguayo: Use it for one man. Mi amigo es paraguayo.
- Feminine singular paraguaya: Use it for one woman. Su esposa es paraguaya.
- Masculine plural paraguayos: Use it for a mixed group or multiple men. Los paraguayos son muy cálidos.
- Feminine plural paraguayas: Use it for a group of women. Las paraguayas son muy amables.
- Adjective agreement: The word must match the noun. Comida paraguaya (feminine noun), pueblo paraguayo (masculine noun).
English speakers often struggle here because the single word “Paraguayan” works for everyone. Spanish forces you to choose. That split is non-negotiable if you want to speak accurately.
Beyond the Label: Language and Identity in Paraguay
The demonym paraguayo represents a population with a unique linguistic profile. Paraguay is officially bilingual, with Spanish and Guaraní as national languages. What sets it apart is that over 90% of the population speaks Guaraní, an indigenous language spoken continuously for centuries.
Unlike many countries where indigenous languages are spoken by a minority, Guaraní is woven into daily life for most paraguayos, including people who do not identify as indigenous. As Harvard’s cultural review notes in its piece on Guaraní speakers identity, most paraguayos speak the language but do not necessarily see themselves as aboriginal.
The Guaraní Connection
This makes the national identity of a paraguayo distinct in South America. The demonym carries weight. It refers to people whose national and linguistic identity is deeply tied to an indigenous language, even as they participate fully in a Spanish-speaking society. Knowing the word is one thing — understanding the culture behind it is another.
| Grammatical Form | Spanish | Example Phrase |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine Singular | paraguayo | Soy paraguayo |
| Feminine Singular | paraguaya | Soy paraguaya |
| Masculine Plural | paraguayos | Somos paraguayos |
| Feminine Plural | paraguayas | Somos paraguayas |
| Adjective (Masc./Fem.) | paraguayo/a | Cultura paraguaya |
These forms follow standard Spanish rules. But there is one bonus piece of vocabulary that can trip up travelers. The same word has a completely different, much sweeter meaning.
How to Use These Words Naturally in a Sentence
Memorizing the chart is the first step. Using the words fluidly is the next. Here are five common scenarios where paraguayo and its forms appear.
- Introducing a person: Él es paraguayo y vive en Barcelona. (He is Paraguayan and lives in Barcelona.)
- Describing a group: Los paraguayos son conocidos por su hospitalidad. (Paraguayans are known for their hospitality.)
- Talking about culture: La música paraguaya tiene influencias de Guaraní. (Paraguayan music has Guaraní influences.)
- Asking a question: ¿Eres paraguaya? (Are you Paraguayan? — directed at a woman).
- Referring to the nation collectively: Los paraguayos celebran su independencia el 14 de mayo. (Paraguayans celebrate their independence on May 14th.)
The key takeaway is that paraguayo behaves exactly like argentino or canadiense. It drops into the same grammatical slots. Once you learn the pattern, you can use it confidently in any Spanish conversation.
When Paraguayo Means Something Else
Language is full of double meanings. Paraguayo is one of them. In Spain, un paraguayo is a type of peach — specifically, a flat peach or donut peach. The fruit got the name either because it was believed to have originated in Paraguay or because its rounded shape reminded someone of the country’s geography.
Context makes the meaning clear. A person is un paraguayo or una paraguaya. A fruit is un paraguayo (masculine). The Spanishdict paraguayo English translation page covers both meanings, listing “Paraguayan” for the person and “flat peach” for the fruit. If you are in a market in Madrid and hear someone ask for un paraguayo, don’t assume they are looking for a person from South America.
This secondary meaning is a useful nuance. It saves you from confused looks at the grocery store and gives you a fun fact about Spanish vocabulary that most textbooks skip entirely.
| Meaning | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Nationality (Man) | paraguayo | Paraguayan |
| Nationality (Woman) | paraguaya | Paraguayan |
| Fruit (Spain) | paraguayo | Flat peach |
The Bottom Line
The demonym for people from Paraguay follows a clear pattern. Paraguayo for a man, paraguaya for a woman. The plurals add an -s. The same word can refer to a flat peach in Spain, so context determines the meaning. The cultural identity of paraguayos is deeply tied to the Guaraní language, making this more than just a vocabulary lesson.
If you are learning Spanish and want to master demonyms like a local, working with a tutor or preparing for the DELE exam can help you practice the distinctive -guayo suffix and put it to immediate use in conversation with native speakers.