jesús
/heh-SOOS/
Jesus
Depicting the central figure of Christianity.
jesús(Proper Noun)
Jesus
?The central figure of Christianity.
Joshua
?The original Hebrew name from which Jesús derives.
📝 In Action
Mi mejor amigo se llama Jesús.
A1My best friend's name is Jesús.
Jesús es una figura central en el cristianismo.
A2Jesus is a central figure in Christianity.
💡 Grammar Points
Capitalization of Names
Just like in English, names of people like Jesús always start with a capital letter. The interjection form, however, is often lowercase unless it starts a sentence.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Pronouncing the 'J'
Mistake: "Saying 'Jee-sus' with an English 'J' sound."
Correction: The Spanish 'j' sounds like the 'h' in 'hello'. Try saying 'heh-SOOS'.
⭐ Usage Tips
A Very Common Name
Don't be surprised to meet people named Jesús. It's a popular name for boys in many Spanish-speaking countries. Common nicknames are Chucho, Chus, or Chuy.
Illustrating the interjection said after someone sneezes, meaning 'Bless you'.
jesús(Interjection)
Bless you
?Said after someone sneezes.
Gosh / Jeez
?To express surprise, shock, or frustration.
📝 In Action
—¡Achís! —¡Jesús!
A1—Achoo! —Bless you!
¡Jesús, qué susto me has dado!
A2Gosh, you scared me!
¡Jesús! Olvidé las llaves otra vez.
B1Jeez! I forgot the keys again.
💡 Grammar Points
A Standalone Expression
As an expression, '¡Jesús!' is a complete thought on its own. You just say it by itself to show your reaction or to bless someone.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing the Meanings
Mistake: "Thinking someone is always talking about the religious figure when they exclaim '¡Jesús!'."
Correction: Pay attention to the situation. If someone just sneezed or seems surprised, they are using it as an expression like 'Bless you!' or 'Gosh!'.
⭐ Usage Tips
The Sneeze Tradition
In many places, if someone sneezes, the first response is '¡Jesús!'. If they sneeze again, you might say '¡Salud!' (Health!), and even a third time, '¡Dinero!' (Money!).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: jesús
Question 1 of 1
Your friend sneezes loudly. What is the most common and appropriate thing to say in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it offensive to use 'Jesús' as an expression if you're not religious?
Not at all. The use of '¡Jesús!' as an interjection (like 'Gosh!' or 'Bless you!') is a deeply ingrained cultural habit in the Spanish-speaking world. It has lost its purely religious connection in these contexts and is used by people of all beliefs.
Why is Jesús such a common first name in Spanish-speaking countries but not in English-speaking ones?
It's a cultural and religious tradition, particularly strong in Catholic countries. In many parts of the English-speaking world, there was a historical tradition of avoiding the use of the name out of reverence, but this wasn't the case in Spain and Latin America, where it's seen as a way to honor Jesus.