biblia
/BEE-blee-ah/
Bible
When used as a religious term, 'biblia' refers to the holy text, the Bible.
📝 In Action
Mi abuela lee la biblia todas las noches antes de dormir.
A1My grandmother reads the Bible every night before sleeping.
La historia del arca de Noé está en la biblia.
A2The story of Noah's Ark is in the Bible.
Compramos una biblia antigua con tapas de cuero.
B1We bought an antique Bible with leather covers.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Reminder
Remember that 'biblia' is always a feminine word, so you must use 'la' or 'una' before it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong article
Mistake: "El biblia"
Correction: La biblia. Even though it ends in 'a', new learners sometimes forget its gender.
⭐ Usage Tips
Capitalization
Unlike English, Spanish generally does not capitalize 'biblia' unless it starts a sentence, although you may see it capitalized in formal religious contexts.
Figuratively, 'biblia' can refer to any authoritative or definitive guide on a specific subject, like this comprehensive cooking guide.
biblia(noun)
bible
?definitive guide
essential handbook
?authoritative reference
,definitive guide
?most important book
📝 In Action
Ese libro de cocina es la biblia de todos los chefs profesionales.
B2That cookbook is the bible for all professional chefs.
El manual de reparación se considera la biblia de los mecánicos.
C1The repair manual is considered the bible of mechanics.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
This meaning uses 'biblia' metaphorically. It means the book is so good and complete that it serves as the ultimate source of knowledge for that subject.
⭐ Usage Tips
Informal Hyperbole
Using 'la biblia' this way is a form of strong praise, indicating the book is indispensable. It's common in professional or enthusiast communities.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: biblia
Question 1 of 2
¿Cuál es el significado de 'biblia' en la frase: 'El libro de recetas de mi madre es la biblia de nuestra cocina'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Se usa 'biblia' solo para el texto cristiano?
While its primary meaning refers to the Christian sacred text, Spanish speakers frequently use 'biblia' figuratively (without capitalization) to describe any book that is considered the ultimate, most authoritative guide on a specific subject, like cooking or programming.
¿Hay que usar mayúscula (capital letter) en 'biblia'?
Generally, no. In Spanish, nouns are not capitalized as often as in English. You would only capitalize it if it starts a sentence. For example, 'Leo la biblia' is correct.