aleluya
“aleluya” means “hallelujah” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
hallelujah
Also: finally!, praise be
📝 In Action
¡Aleluya! Por fin terminamos el proyecto.
A1Hallelujah! We finally finished the project.
El coro cantó ¡aleluya! al final de la ceremonia.
A2The choir sang 'hallelujah' at the end of the ceremony.
illustrated verse
Also: doggerel
📝 In Action
En la procesión de Pascua, tiraron aleluyas desde los balcones.
C1During the Easter procession, they threw illustrated verses from the balconies.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: aleluya
Question 1 of 2
Which of these is the correct way to write the exclamation of joy in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Hebrew phrase 'halălū-Yāh', which means 'praise you (all) Yahweh'. It traveled through Greek and Latin before becoming the Spanish 'aleluya'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'aleluya' only used in church?
No! While it has religious roots, most Spanish speakers use it as a general exclamation for 'Finally!' or 'Thank goodness!'
Is it masculine or feminine?
When used as a noun (the song or the paper strip), it is feminine: 'la aleluya'.