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eterno

eh-TEHR-noh/eˈteɾno/

“eterno” means “eternal” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

eternal, everlasting

A simple winding river flowing through a lush green landscape toward a distant horizon, implying perpetual motion and never-ending existence.

📝 In Action

Dicen que el alma es eterna y nunca muere.

C1

They say the soul is eternal and never dies.

La búsqueda de la felicidad eterna es un tema filosófico.

C2

The search for everlasting happiness is a philosophical topic.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • sempiterno (everlasting)
  • imperecedero (undying)

Antonyms

  • efímero (short-lived)
  • mortal (mortal)

Common Collocations

  • el descanso eterno – eternal rest
  • vida eterna – eternal life

endless, constant

Also: never-ending
A small, solitary figure standing at the beginning of an extremely long, straight, empty road that stretches into a misty distance, emphasizing vast duration.

📝 In Action

La reunión se hizo eterna, duró casi tres horas.

B1

The meeting became endless; it lasted almost three hours.

Ese eterno problema de tráfico nunca se soluciona.

B2

That constant traffic problem is never solved.

Mi hermana es la eterna optimista, siempre ve el lado bueno.

B2

My sister is the eternal optimist; she always sees the bright side.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • una espera eterna – an endless wait
  • el eterno retorno – the eternal return (philosophical concept)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "eterno" in Spanish:

constant→endless→eternal→everlasting→never-ending→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: eterno

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'eterno' in its most literal sense (existing without end)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
eternidad(eternity) — Noun
eternamente(eternally) — Adverb
eternizar(to prolong/make eternal) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes directly from the Latin word *aeternus*, which meant 'lasting for an age' or 'everlasting.' It shares a common root with the English word 'age.'

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: eternoFrench: éternel

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use 'eterno' or 'para siempre' when talking about something lasting forever?

'Eterno' is an adjective describing a noun (e.g., 'amor eterno' - eternal love). 'Para siempre' is a phrase that means 'forever' and is used to modify a verb (e.g., 'Te amaré para siempre' - I will love you forever).

How do I make 'eterno' feminine or plural?

Since 'eterno' ends in -o, you change the ending to match the noun: 'eterna' (feminine singular), 'eternos' (masculine plural), and 'eternas' (feminine plural).