cielo
/SYEH-loh/
sky
Cielo means 'sky' when referring to the atmosphere above us.
cielo(Noun)
sky
?The atmosphere above the Earth
ceiling
?Figurative, for the top of a large room or space, like a church
📝 In Action
El cielo está azul hoy.
A1The sky is blue today.
Vimos muchas estrellas en el cielo nocturno.
A2We saw many stars in the night sky.
El avión volaba por encima de las nubes, en un cielo despejado.
B1The plane was flying above the clouds in a clear sky.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
'Cielo' is a masculine word, so you always use 'el cielo' (the sky) or 'un cielo' (a sky), never 'la' or 'una'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'cielo' for 'weather'
Mistake: "El cielo está malo hoy."
Correction: Hace mal tiempo hoy. While the sky's appearance is part of the weather, Spanish generally uses the verb 'hacer' to talk about what the weather is 'doing'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing the Sky
You can use 'cielo' with adjectives like 'azul' (blue), 'gris' (gray), 'nublado' (cloudy), or 'despejado' (clear) to describe what you see above.
In a spiritual context, cielo translates to 'heaven' or 'paradise'.
📝 In Action
Mi abuela cree que los ángeles viven en el cielo.
A2My grandmother believes that angels live in heaven.
Rezar para ir al cielo es parte de su fe.
B1Praying to go to heaven is part of their faith.
Esta playa es tan bonita, es como el cielo en la tierra.
B2This beach is so beautiful, it's like heaven on earth.
⭐ Usage Tips
'Sky' vs. 'Heaven'
The context usually makes it clear which meaning is intended. If you're talking about clouds and airplanes, it's 'sky'. If you're talking about angels and the afterlife, it's 'heaven'.
Cielo is also used as an informal, affectionate term of endearment, meaning 'darling' or 'sweetheart'.
📝 In Action
Hola, cielo, ¿cómo estás?
B1Hi, sweetheart, how are you?
Gracias por la ayuda, eres un cielo.
B1Thanks for the help, you're a darling.
No te preocupes, mi cielo, todo va a estar bien.
B2Don't worry, my love, everything is going to be okay.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender in Endearment
Even though 'cielo' is a masculine word, you can use it to talk to anyone, regardless of their gender. You might hear 'mi cielo' (my darling) said to a man, a woman, or a child.
⭐ Usage Tips
When to Use It
This is a very warm and affectionate term. Use it with people you're close to, like a partner, a child, or a very good friend. It's similar to calling someone 'sweetheart' or 'darling' in English.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cielo
Question 1 of 2
If someone says, 'Gracias, eres un cielo,' what do they mean?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can 'cielo' be plural ('cielos')?
Yes! 'Cielos' can mean 'skies', especially in an artistic or poetic sense ('Me encantan los cielos de este artista' - I love this artist's skies). It's also very common in the expression '¡Cielos!', which is a dramatic way to say 'Heavens!' or 'Oh my gosh!'
How is 'cielo' different from 'paraíso'?
While both can be translated as 'heaven', 'cielo' is the more common, general term for the afterlife in many religions. 'Paraíso' (paradise) is often used to describe a perfect, beautiful place, like the Garden of Eden, or figuratively for a beautiful location on Earth, like a tropical island.