A lone woman standing in a simple room. A prominent, swirling green vapor cloud is visibly emanating from her chest area, symbolizing the consuming emotion of jealousy.

celos

SEH-lohs

nounmB1

jealousy?romantic suspicion

Also:envy?used less commonly, usually for intense envy of success or possessions, though 'envidia' is preferred

📝 In Action

Mi hermana tiene celos de mi nuevo trabajo.

My sister is jealous of my new job.

Los celos destruyeron su relación, fue muy triste.

Jealousy destroyed their relationship, it was very sad.

No le des celos a tu pareja, sé honesto.

Don't make your partner jealous, be honest.

Word Connections

Synonyms

envidia (envy (general))
recelo (suspicion)

Antonyms

confianza (trust)

Common Collocations

tener celos – to be jealous (literally: to have jealousy)
dar celos – to cause jealousy
morirse de celos – to be consumed by jealousy (literally: to die of jealousy)

💡 Grammar Points

Always Plural

Even though 'celos' means a single feeling (jealousy), it is always treated as a plural word in Spanish. This means you must use plural articles and adjectives (e.g., 'los celos', 'unos celos terribles').

Using 'Tener'

To say someone 'is jealous,' Spanish uses the verb 'tener' (to have). You say 'Tengo celos' (I have jealousy) instead of 'Soy celoso' (I am a jealous person).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the Singular

Mistake: "Siento celo."

Correction: Siento celos. ('Celo' in singular means 'heat' or 'rut' for animals, not jealousy.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Related Adjective

The adjective form is 'celoso' (masculine) or 'celosa' (feminine). This describes the person who feels the jealousy.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: celos

Question 1 of 2

How do you correctly say 'She is jealous' in Spanish, using the common verb structure?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

celoso(jealous (adjective)) - adjective

celosa(jealous (adjective, feminine)) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'celos' plural if it means a single emotion?

'Celos' is one of those Spanish words (like 'tijeras' for scissors or 'vacaciones' for vacation) that is always used in the plural form, even when referring to the singular concept of jealousy. Always use the plural article 'los'.

What is the difference between 'celos' and 'envidia'?

'Celos' (jealousy) is usually associated with the fear of losing something you already have (like a partner's affection). 'Envidia' (envy) is wishing you had something someone else possesses (like a talent or success).