limosna
“limosna” means “alms” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
alms
Also: charity, handout
📝 In Action
El hombre pedía limosna en la puerta de la iglesia.
A2The man was asking for alms at the church door.
Mucha gente da limosna durante las fiestas de Navidad.
B1Many people give charity during the Christmas holidays.
No es suficiente con dar limosna; hay que cambiar el sistema.
B2Giving handouts isn't enough; the system needs to be changed.
pittance
Also: peanuts, crumbs
📝 In Action
Después de trabajar tanto, este sueldo me parece una limosna.
B2After working so much, this salary seems like a pittance to me.
No quiero tus limosnas; quiero lo que me corresponde por mi trabajo.
C1I don't want your crumbs; I want what I'm owed for my work.
El aumento que nos dieron es una auténtica limosna.
B2The raise they gave us is absolute peanuts.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: limosna
Question 1 of 3
Which verb is most commonly used when you give money to a person in need?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Derived from the Ancient Greek word 'eleemosyne,' which meant 'compassion' or 'pity.' It traveled through Latin as 'alemosyna' before becoming 'limosna' in Spanish.
First recorded: 12th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the word 'limosna' offensive?
It is not a 'bad word,' but calling someone's pay a 'limosna' is an insult. When talking about helping the poor, it is a traditional term, though some modern speakers prefer 'ayuda' (help).
How do you say 'to beg' using this word?
The most common way is 'pedir limosna' (to ask for alms).
Is 'limosna' used for large donations?
No. Usually, 'limosna' refers to small amounts of money, like coins. For large amounts, like donating to a hospital, you should use 'donación'.