catedral
“catedral” means “cathedral” in Spanish (the main church of a city or district).
cathedralAlso: seat
📝 In Action
La catedral de Barcelona es muy antigua.
A1Barcelona's cathedral is very old.
Mucha gente visita la plaza de la catedral los domingos.
A2Many people visit the cathedral square on Sundays.
Para que una iglesia sea una catedral, debe ser la sede de un obispo.
B2For a church to be a cathedral, it must be the seat of a bishop.
Word Connections
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: catedral
Question 1 of 3
What determines if a church is a 'catedral'?
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👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology
From the Latin word 'cathedra,' which means 'chair.' A cathedral is literally the church that houses the 'chair' or throne of the bishop.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'catedral' the same as 'basílica'?
Not exactly. A 'catedral' is defined by being the bishop's seat. A 'basílica' is a title of honor given by the Pope to important churches. A building can be both!
Does 'catedral' always refer to a building?
Usually, yes. However, it is sometimes used metaphorically to describe the most important or authoritative thing in a specific category.
Are there cathedrals in every Spanish city?
Not every city, but every 'diocese' (a specific religious district) has one cathedral located in its main city.