What is so Real about Real Madrid?

Vote

by user I am a cpcp

Allow me to expose some of my American ignorance here (and American laziness to look it up myself).

Can anyone explain to me what the "Real" in "Real Madrid" means?

Date

Fri 09/22/06, 3:46 pm EST

Enable Comment Auto-Refresher

UfgatorsDiv-I Stud

1187 days ago

Score 3

It isnt pronounced "real" as in "true". It is pronounced "re-al". thats all i know :)

Permalink | Reply

I am a cpcpMajor Leaguer

1187 days ago

Score 0

Really.... interesting. Thanks gators. I'm hoping Alex will come and save the day on what it means.

Permalink

Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

1186 days ago

Score 2

Here I am, cpcp! The obvious explanation I can think of is that it is Spanish. So it doesn't mean real. Also, you say (slight modification), "Rayal". There are a lot of Spanish and Portuguese places with "real" in them, e.g. Vilareal, Real Sociedad, Real Mallorca, Real Betis etc. So it's probably a word that means something in Spanish... "City" perhaps. If you know a translation website, type Real into it in Spanish to English mode. That should be your answer (unless it still says Real...) But it is definitely a Spanish word, I just don't know what it means!

Permalink | Reply

I am a cpcpMajor Leaguer

1186 days ago

Score 2

My hero! :-)

Permalink

ThecrookedcapAll-Star

1186 days ago

Score 4

"Real" means royal. The name of the team is in English "Royal Madrid".

Permalink | Reply

Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

1186 days ago

Score 1

There you go! That is the answer to your problem. Well done (and welcome back) Thecrookedcap!

Permalink

I am a cpcpMajor Leaguer

1186 days ago

Score 3

Thanks!!!

Permalink

Pack MentalityWaterboy

1184 days ago

Score 3

Then how do you explain MLS's "Real Salt Lake"? Last time I checked, Utah doesn't fall under the sovereignty/jurisdiction/whatever of the Spanish royal family.

Permalink