iglesia
/ee-GLEH-see-ah/
church
The primary meaning of iglesia is a physical building used for Christian worship (church).
📝 In Action
La iglesia del pueblo es muy antigua y bonita.
A1The town's church is very old and beautiful.
Vamos a la iglesia todos los domingos.
A1We go to church every Sunday.
Las campanas de la iglesia están sonando.
A2The church bells are ringing.
💡 Grammar Points
It's a Feminine Word
Like many Spanish words that end in '-a', 'iglesia' is feminine. This means you'll use 'la' for 'the' (la iglesia) and 'una' for 'a' (una iglesia).
⭐ Usage Tips
More Than Just Catholic
While you'll see many beautiful Catholic churches in Spanish-speaking countries, 'iglesia' can refer to any Christian church building, like a Protestant, Baptist, or Evangelical one.
When capitalized (Iglesia), the word refers to the institution, community, or body of Christians (the Church).
📝 In Action
La Iglesia Católica tiene una gran influencia en la historia de Europa.
B1The Catholic Church has a great influence on the history of Europe.
El debate sobre la separación entre Iglesia y Estado es muy importante.
B2The debate about the separation of Church and State is very important.
Mi tía es muy activa en su iglesia; organiza eventos para la comunidad.
B1My aunt is very active in her church; she organizes events for the community.
💡 Grammar Points
Capitalization Matters
When you're talking about 'the Church' as a big institution (like the Catholic Church), it's often capitalized: 'la Iglesia'. When you mean a local building or community, it's usually lowercase: 'la iglesia'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Building vs. People
Mistake: "Thinking 'iglesia' only ever refers to the physical building."
Correction: Remember it can also mean the group of people or the entire religious organization. The context, and sometimes capitalization, will tell you which is which.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: iglesia
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'iglesia' to refer to the *institution* and not the physical building?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I always capitalize 'iglesia'?
No. Capitalize it when you mean the global institution (e.g., 'la Iglesia Católica'). Use lowercase ('iglesia') when you're talking about a specific, local church building or its community.
Can 'iglesia' refer to a non-Christian place of worship, like a mosque or a synagogue?
Generally, no. 'Iglesia' is almost exclusively used for Christian places of worship. For a mosque, you would use 'mezquita', and for a synagogue, 'sinagoga'.