Spanish vocabulary by topic
Learn respectful Spanish for beliefs, places of worship, prayer, ceremonies, sacred texts, religious holidays, and interfaith conversations.
Use this guide to discuss religion with clarity and respect across different traditions. Read the usage notes as well as the translations: many religious terms change meaning with context, community, or region.
Describe faith, spirituality, and personal religious identity.
religion
La religión ocupa un lugar importante en la historia de su familia.
Religion has an important place in their family's history.
Usage note Use «religión» for an organized system of belief or for religion as a social phenomenon; «religioso/a» is the related adjective.
faith
Su fe le dio consuelo durante una etapa difícil.
Their faith gave them comfort during a difficult period.
Usage note «Fe» is normally uncountable and often combines with «tener» or «profesar»; «tener fe en» can also mean to have confidence in someone.
belief
Cada estudiante explicó una creencia de su comunidad sin intentar convencer al grupo.
Each student explained a belief from their community without trying to convince the group.
Usage note A «creencia» is a particular belief, while «la fe» often refers more broadly to religious trust or commitment.
God
Para ella, Dios escucha incluso las oraciones que no se dicen en voz alta.
For her, God listens even to prayers that are not spoken aloud.
Usage note Capitalize «Dios» when it is the proper name of the one God; use lowercase «dios» when referring to a deity as a common noun.
deity; divinity
El museo identifica la divinidad representada en cada escultura.
The museum identifies the deity represented in each sculpture.
Usage note «Divinidad» can mean a divine being or the quality of being divine; context usually makes the intended sense clear.
soul
Algunas tradiciones enseñan que el alma continúa después de la muerte.
Some traditions teach that the soul continues after death.
Usage note «Alma» is feminine but takes singular «el» because it begins with a stressed a sound: «el alma pura», but «las almas».
spirituality
Él vive su espiritualidad mediante el silencio y el contacto con la naturaleza.
He experiences his spirituality through silence and contact with nature.
Usage note «Espiritualidad» may be connected to an organized religion, but speakers also use it for a personal spiritual life outside one.
to believe
Mis abuelos creen en Dios, pero no pertenecen a ninguna congregación.
My grandparents believe in God, but they do not belong to any congregation.
Usage note Use «creer en + noun» for belief or trust and «creer que + clause» for something considered true.
to practice; to observe
Aunque ella practica su religión, nunca presupone que los demás compartan sus costumbres.
Although she practices her religion, she never assumes that others share her customs.
Usage note For religion, «practicar» means to follow its customs and observances; «ser practicante» describes an observant member.
to convert; to become
Él se convirtió al budismo después de varios años de estudio.
He converted to Buddhism after several years of study.
Usage note For adopting a religion, «convertirse a» is common; «convertirse en» generally means to become or turn into something.
Refer respectfully to worshippers, leaders, and organized groups.
believer
Los creyentes se reunieron con vecinos no religiosos para organizar la colecta.
The believers met with nonreligious neighbors to organize the collection.
Usage note «Creyente» has the same form for all genders; the article shows gender. It can be qualified by the faith named in context.
priest
El sacerdote recibió a la pareja antes de la ceremonia.
The priest welcomed the couple before the ceremony.
Usage note In Catholic contexts, «sacerdote» commonly refers to a male priest; «cura» is a frequent, less formal synonym.
nun
La monja dirige un comedor comunitario cerca del convento.
The nun runs a community dining hall near the convent.
Usage note «Monja» normally refers to a woman in a Christian religious order; «monje/monja» can also be used for monastics in other traditions.
rabbi
El rabino comentó el pasaje y luego respondió preguntas de la comunidad.
The rabbi commented on the passage and then answered questions from the community.
Usage note «Rabino» names a Jewish teacher or religious leader; «rabina» is used for a woman who holds that role.
imam
El imán recordó a los asistentes que la oración comenzaría al atardecer.
The imam reminded those present that the prayer would begin at sunset.
Usage note In Spanish, the Muslim prayer leader is «el imán». The same written word also means a magnet, so context is essential.
pastor; minister
La pastora visitó a varias familias de la iglesia durante la semana.
The pastor visited several families from the church during the week.
Usage note In many Protestant communities, «pastor/pastora» is the usual title for a congregational leader; the word also literally means shepherd.
congregation
La congregación aportó alimentos para las familias afectadas por la inundación.
The congregation contributed food for the families affected by the flood.
Usage note «Congregación» can mean the people who worship together or, in some Christian contexts, a formal religious institute.
to belong
¿Perteneces a alguna comunidad religiosa o espiritual?
Do you belong to any religious or spiritual community?
Usage note «Pertenecer» always takes «a» before the group or institution; the question with «alguna» leaves room for a negative answer.
to gather; to meet
La comunidad se reúne los viernes para orar y compartir una comida.
The community gathers on Fridays to pray and share a meal.
Usage note Use the pronominal «reunirse» when people gather; «reunir» without «se» means to bring people or things together.
to guide; to lead
Una voluntaria guio al grupo durante la visita al templo.
A volunteer guided the group during the visit to the temple.
Usage note «Guiar» takes a direct object. Present «guío/guía» carries an accent, but preterite «guio» is unaccented in current standard spelling.
Identify common sacred spaces and behave appropriately when visiting.
temple; place of worship
El templo permanece abierto a visitantes fuera del horario de culto.
The temple remains open to visitors outside worship hours.
Usage note «Templo» is a broad term for a religious building and is also used for specific Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, and Christian spaces.
church
La iglesia del barrio conserva unos vitrales del siglo XIX.
The neighborhood church preserves some nineteenth-century stained-glass windows.
Usage note Lowercase «iglesia» usually means a church building; capitalize it when it forms part of an institution's official name.
mosque
Antes de entrar en la mezquita, preguntamos dónde debíamos dejar los zapatos.
Before entering the mosque, we asked where we should leave our shoes.
Usage note «Mezquita» is the standard Spanish word for a Muslim place of worship; use «en la mezquita» for an activity inside it.
synagogue
La sinagoga ofrece una visita educativa sobre la historia judía de la ciudad.
The synagogue offers an educational tour about the city's Jewish history.
Usage note «Sinagoga» names a Jewish house of prayer and communal study; it is used consistently across the Spanish-speaking world.
altar
Colocaron flores blancas junto al altar antes de la boda.
They placed white flowers beside the altar before the wedding.
Usage note «Altar» refers to a raised or designated place used for offerings or rites; its exact role varies by tradition.
sanctuary; shrine
Miles de peregrinos visitan el santuario cada primavera.
Thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine every spring.
Usage note «Santuario» may be a sacred destination, shrine, or especially holy area; the best English translation depends on the site.
candle
Había una vela encendida frente a la imagen.
There was a lit candle in front of the image.
Usage note In religious contexts, «vela» means candle; it can also mean a sail or a period of keeping watch.
to enter; to go in
Puedes entrar en la capilla, pero mantén el teléfono en silencio.
You may enter the chapel, but keep your phone on silent.
Usage note Use «entrar en + place» in standard Spanish; omitting «en» before a destination is common in some regions but less universal.
to light a candle
Encendimos una vela en memoria de quienes habían fallecido.
We lit a candle in memory of those who had died.
Usage note The natural collocation is «encender una vela»; «prender una vela» is also common in parts of Latin America.
to take off one's shoes
Todos los visitantes deben descalzarse antes de pasar a la sala de oración.
All visitors must take off their shoes before entering the prayer hall.
Usage note «Descalzarse» is pronominal and means to remove one's own footwear; it is useful when visiting spaces where shoes are not permitted.
Talk about communal services and personal devotional practices.
prayer
La ceremonia terminó con una oración por la paz.
The ceremony ended with a prayer for peace.
Usage note «Oración» means both prayer and a grammatical sentence; surrounding words such as «rezar» or «por la paz» signal the religious sense.
worship; religious service
El domingo habrá dos cultos, uno por la mañana y otro por la tarde.
On Sunday there will be two worship services, one in the morning and another in the afternoon.
Usage note In neutral Spanish, «culto» often means worship or a service, not necessarily the negative English sense of 'cult.'
Mass
Mi tía suele ir a misa los sábados por la tarde.
My aunt usually goes to Mass on Saturday afternoons.
Usage note «Misa» refers specifically to the Catholic Eucharistic service and to corresponding services in some other Christian churches.
sermon
El sermón relacionó el texto antiguo con un problema actual del vecindario.
The sermon connected the ancient text with a current neighborhood problem.
Usage note «Sermón» is a religious address based on teaching or scripture; informally, it can also mean a long scolding lecture.
hymn
La congregación cantó un himno acompañada por el órgano.
The congregation sang a hymn accompanied by the organ.
Usage note «Himno» can be a religious song or an anthem, as in «himno nacional»; the context identifies which meaning applies.
blessing
La familia pidió una bendición antes de iniciar el viaje.
The family asked for a blessing before starting the journey.
Usage note Common patterns are «dar/echar la bendición» and «pedir una bendición»; figuratively, it can describe something deeply welcome.
to pray; to recite a prayer
Rezaron juntos por la recuperación de su amigo.
They prayed together for their friend's recovery.
Usage note «Rezar» often suggests saying established prayers; use «rezar por alguien/algo» to state the person or cause prayed for.
to pray
Algunas personas prefieren orar en silencio al comenzar el día.
Some people prefer to pray silently at the start of the day.
Usage note «Orar» is common in formal and many Protestant contexts; compared with «rezar», it can emphasize spontaneous rather than recited prayer.
to worship; to adore
Los fieles se reúnen para adorar a Dios mediante cantos y oraciones.
The faithful gather to worship God through songs and prayers.
Usage note Religious «adorar a» means to worship; in everyday speech, «adorar» can also mean to love someone or something very much.
to meditate
Antes del amanecer, ella medita durante veinte minutos en un rincón tranquilo.
Before dawn, she meditates for twenty minutes in a quiet corner.
Usage note «Meditar» may describe contemplative religious practice or secular mindfulness; «meditar sobre» can also mean to reflect carefully on a subject.
Discuss milestones, observances, and acts performed within a tradition.
baptism
Celebraron el bautismo junto al río con familiares y amigos.
They celebrated the baptism by the river with relatives and friends.
Usage note «Bautismo» is a Christian rite of initiation; practices involving water and the age of participants vary among denominations.
Communion; fellowship
Quienes deseaban recibir la comunión se acercaron al frente.
Those who wished to receive Communion came to the front.
Usage note In Christian contexts, «la comunión» often means the Eucharist; «comunión» can more broadly mean spiritual fellowship or shared belief.
religious wedding
Tendrán una boda civil el viernes y una boda religiosa el domingo.
They will have a civil wedding on Friday and a religious wedding on Sunday.
Usage note «Boda religiosa» contrasts with «boda civil» and describes a wedding conducted according to a faith tradition.
funeral
Durante el funeral de Carmen, sus nietos leyeron poemas y recordaron su sentido del humor.
During Carmen's funeral, her grandchildren read poems and remembered her sense of humor.
Usage note «Funeral» is the ceremony honoring someone who died; «entierro» specifically refers to burial and may be one part of it.
fast; fasting
El ayuno comienza al amanecer y termina después de la puesta del sol.
The fast begins at dawn and ends after sunset.
Usage note Religious «ayuno» means abstaining from food or drink under particular rules; «estar en ayunas» is also used before medical tests.
pilgrimage
La peregrinación recorre varios pueblos antes de llegar al lugar sagrado.
The pilgrimage passes through several towns before reaching the sacred place.
Usage note «Peregrinación» is a journey to a sacred destination, often made collectively; the traveler is a «peregrino» or «peregrina».
to baptize
La comunidad decidió bautizar a los nuevos miembros en mayo.
The community decided to baptize the new members in May.
Usage note «Bautizar a alguien» takes the personal «a»; informally, the verb can also mean to give a name to an object or project.
to get married
Lucía y Marta se casaron en una ceremonia interreligiosa.
Lucía and Marta got married in an interfaith ceremony.
Usage note Use «casarse con alguien», not «casarse a alguien»; the pronominal verb describes the people getting married.
to fast
Por motivos de salud, él consultó al médico antes de ayunar.
For health reasons, he consulted the doctor before fasting.
Usage note «Ayunar» means to abstain from food, and sometimes drink, for a set time; religious rules and health exemptions differ.
to bless
El capellán bendijo las manos del personal sanitario antes de la jornada.
The chaplain blessed the healthcare workers' hands before the workday.
Usage note «Bendecir» follows many forms of «decir»: «bendigo», «bendijo». Both participles exist, with «bendito» frequent as an adjective.
Name major scriptures and discuss how communities read and explain them.
the Bible
La Biblia que heredó Marta contiene anotaciones de tres generaciones.
The Bible Marta inherited contains notes from three generations.
Usage note Capitalize «Biblia» as the title of the Christian scriptures; «bíblico/a» is lowercase unless it begins a sentence.
the Quran
El profesor citó un capítulo del Corán durante la clase de religiones comparadas.
The professor quoted a chapter from the Quran during the comparative religions class.
Usage note «Corán» is the standard modern Spanish name of Islam's sacred scripture; it is capitalized and carries a written accent.
the Torah
La lectora señaló el lugar de la Torá que correspondía a esa semana.
The reader pointed to the place in the Torah assigned for that week.
Usage note The Spanish spelling «Torá» reflects final stress, while «Torah» also appears; the term most narrowly refers to the Five Books of Moses.
sacred scriptures
El curso compara cómo varias comunidades interpretan sus escrituras sagradas.
The course compares how several communities interpret their sacred scriptures.
Usage note This is an inclusive generic term; «las Escrituras» may be capitalized when it refers to a particular tradition's recognized scripture.
passage; excerpt
Elena volvió a leer el pasaje porque la traducción moderna cambiaba el matiz.
Elena read the passage again because the modern translation changed the nuance.
Usage note For texts, «pasaje» is a selected section; the word can also mean a ticket, fare, or passageway in other contexts.
parable
La maestra usó una parábola para iniciar una conversación sobre la generosidad.
The teacher used a parable to start a conversation about generosity.
Usage note A religious «parábola» is a short teaching story; the same word names a parabola in mathematics.
to read
Cada noche, él lee un salmo y anota una frase en su diario.
Every night he reads a psalm and writes down a phrase in his journal.
Usage note «Leer» is irregular in the preterite third person and gerund: «leyó», «leyeron», «leyendo».
to recite
Los niños recitaron de memoria una breve oración de agradecimiento.
The children recited a short prayer of thanks from memory.
Usage note «Recitar» means to deliver memorized or written words aloud and applies to prayers, scripture, and poetry.
to preach
El invitado predicó sobre la responsabilidad de cuidar a los más vulnerables.
The guest preached about the responsibility to care for the most vulnerable.
Usage note Use «predicar sobre/acerca de» for the subject of a sermon; figuratively, it can mean to advocate a principle.
to interpret
Dos comunidades pueden interpretar el mismo relato de maneras distintas.
Two communities may interpret the same account in different ways.
Usage note «Interpretar» means to explain meaning, perform music or a role, or provide interpreting; here the direct object is a text or account.
Recognize major celebrations and describe how holy days are observed.
holiday; religious festival
Las fechas de la festividad cambian cada año según el calendario lunar.
The dates of the festival change each year according to the lunar calendar.
Usage note «Festividad» is a formal, broad term for a feast day or celebration; «fiesta» is more conversational and may be secular.
Christmas
En su familia, la Navidad comienza con una cena el 24 de diciembre.
In their family, Christmas begins with a dinner on December 24.
Usage note «Navidad» names the Christian celebration of Jesus's birth; «las Navidades» can refer to the whole holiday period.
Easter; Passover, depending on context
La fecha de la Pascua cristiana no es la misma todos los años.
The date of Christian Easter is not the same every year.
Usage note «Pascua» usually means Easter in Christian contexts; use «Pésaj» or «Pascua judía» when clarity about Jewish Passover is needed.
Ramadan
Durante el mes de Ramadán, la familia rompe el ayuno después de la puesta del sol.
During the month of Ramadan, the family breaks the fast after sunset.
Usage note «Ramadán» is the Islamic month of fasting. Both «Ramadán» and «el Ramadán» occur; «el mes de Ramadán» is especially clear.
Eid al-Fitr
Para Eid al-Fitr prepararon dulces y visitaron a sus parientes.
For Eid al-Fitr, they prepared sweets and visited their relatives.
Usage note «Eid al-Fitr» names the festival ending Ramadan; the descriptive Spanish name «Fiesta del Fin del Ayuno» also appears.
Hanukkah
En Janucá encendieron una luz más cada noche.
During Hanukkah, they lit one more light each night.
Usage note «Janucá» is a common Spanish spelling of the Jewish Festival of Lights; transliterations vary across publications and communities.
Diwali
La asociación cultural organizó una celebración de Diwali abierta al vecindario.
The cultural association organized a Diwali celebration open to the neighborhood.
Usage note «Diwali» or «Divali» names the festival of lights celebrated in several South Asian religious traditions, especially Hinduism.
to celebrate; to hold
Este año celebrarán la fiesta en el centro comunitario.
This year they will celebrate the holiday at the community center.
Usage note «Celebrar» can mean to mark a happy occasion or to hold a formal event, service, meeting, or ceremony.
to commemorate
La ceremonia conmemora un acontecimiento que la comunidad considera decisivo.
The ceremony commemorates an event that the community considers decisive.
Usage note «Conmemorar» focuses on remembering a significant event and does not necessarily imply festivity or happiness.
to observe; to keep
Quienes observan el día sagrado evitan trabajar desde el viernes al anochecer.
Those who observe the holy day avoid working from Friday at nightfall.
Usage note For rules and holy days, «observar» means to follow or keep them; it also has the everyday meaning to watch or notice.
Express moral principles and actions that support other people.
compassion
La compasión exige escuchar el dolor ajeno sin juzgarlo.
Compassion requires listening to another person's pain without judging it.
Usage note «Compasión» is concern for another person's suffering; «sentir compasión por» is the common construction.
forgiveness; pardon
Pedir perdón fue solo el primer paso para reparar el daño.
Asking for forgiveness was only the first step toward repairing the harm.
Usage note «Pedir perdón» means to apologize or ask forgiveness, while «conceder el perdón» is more formal.
charity
La organización combina la caridad inmediata con proyectos de empleo a largo plazo.
The organization combines immediate charity with long-term employment projects.
Usage note «Caridad» can mean charitable aid or, in Christian theology, selfless love; «beneficencia» stresses organized assistance.
one's neighbor; one's fellow human being
Para él, amar al prójimo incluye defender la dignidad de personas desconocidas.
For him, loving one's neighbor includes defending the dignity of strangers.
Usage note Religious and ethical «prójimo» means any fellow human being, not merely someone who lives nearby.
justice
Su comunidad entiende la justicia social como una parte esencial de la fe.
Their community understands social justice as an essential part of faith.
Usage note «Justicia» covers fairness, the legal system, and moral rightness; modifiers such as «social» or «divina» narrow the sense.
peace
Representantes de distintas religiones firmaron un compromiso por la paz.
Representatives of different religions signed a commitment to peace.
Usage note «Paz» can mean absence of conflict or inner calm; in some liturgies it also appears in a formal greeting.
to forgive
Perdonar a alguien no siempre significa recuperar de inmediato la confianza.
Forgiving someone does not always mean immediately restoring trust.
Usage note Use personal «a» with the person forgiven and «por» for the offense: «perdonar a alguien por algo».
to help
Varios voluntarios ayudaron a servir desayunos en el refugio.
Several volunteers helped serve breakfasts at the shelter.
Usage note «Ayudar a alguien» takes personal «a», and «ayudar a + infinitive» introduces the action supported.
to donate
La familia donó ropa de invierno a una asociación local.
The family donated winter clothing to a local association.
Usage note Use «donar algo a + recipient»; unlike «regalar», «donar» usually describes a contribution to a cause or institution.
to serve
Ella decidió servir a su comunidad acompañando a personas mayores.
She decided to serve her community by accompanying older people.
Usage note «Servir a una comunidad» emphasizes service to people; the verb is stem-changing in «sirvo», «sirve» and «sirvió».
Ask about religion without assumptions and discuss differences constructively.
freedom of religion
La constitución protege la libertad religiosa y el derecho a no profesar una religión.
The constitution protects freedom of religion and the right not to profess a religion.
Usage note «Libertad religiosa» includes adopting, changing, practicing, or declining religion; «libertad de culto» focuses more narrowly on worship.
tolerance
El taller propone pasar de la tolerancia pasiva a la colaboración entre vecinos.
The workshop proposes moving from passive tolerance to collaboration among neighbors.
Usage note «Tolerancia» means accepting differences, although some speakers prefer «respeto» because it suggests more than merely putting up with them.
interfaith dialogue
El diálogo interreligioso permitió coordinar una respuesta común ante la emergencia.
Interfaith dialogue made it possible to coordinate a shared response to the emergency.
Usage note «Interreligioso/a» describes interaction among religions; «ecuménico/a» usually refers more specifically to cooperation among Christian churches.
religious diversity
La exposición muestra la diversidad religiosa que existe dentro de la región.
The exhibition shows the religious diversity that exists within the region.
Usage note «Diversidad religiosa» states that multiple beliefs and practices are present; «pluralismo» often adds recognition of their coexistence.
conscientious objection
La ley establece un procedimiento para presentar una objeción de conciencia.
The law establishes a procedure for filing a conscientious objection.
Usage note This is a legal and ethical term for declining a duty on deeply held grounds; its permitted scope depends on local law.
nonbeliever; nonreligious person
Una persona no creyente puede participar en la visita sin tomar parte en el rito.
A nonbeliever may join the visit without taking part in the rite.
Usage note This neutral phrase does not specify whether someone is atheist, agnostic, spiritual, or simply unaffiliated; use a more precise term only if known.
religious practice; observance
El horario flexible facilita la práctica religiosa de empleados con distintas costumbres.
The flexible schedule facilitates religious observance for employees with different customs.
Usage note «Práctica religiosa» can mean one specific observance or the general exercise of religion, depending on singular or plural context.
to respect
No comparto esa creencia, pero respeto el derecho de cada persona a elegir.
I do not share that belief, but I respect each person's right to choose.
Usage note «Respetar» takes a direct object without «a» unless the object is a person, in which case personal «a» applies.
to share
Si te parece bien, puedes compartir qué significa esta celebración para ti.
If you are comfortable, you can share what this celebration means to you.
Usage note «Compartir una creencia» may mean to hold the same belief or to tell others about it; context distinguishes the two senses.
to disagree
Podemos discrepar de una interpretación sin atacar a quien la defiende.
We can disagree with an interpretation without attacking the person who defends it.
Usage note Use «discrepar de una idea» and «discrepar con alguien»; the verb is more formal and measured than «estar en contra».