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mártir

MAR-teer/ˈmaɾtiɾ/

martyr

Also: witness
Nounm or fB2
A humble person standing peacefully with their hands over their heart, bathed in a soft beam of light.

📝 In Action

San Esteban es considerado el primer mártir cristiano.

B1

Saint Stephen is considered the first Christian martyr.

Muchos lo ven como un mártir de la libertad de expresión.

B2

Many see him as a martyr for freedom of expression.

La historia está llena de mártires que lucharon por la justicia.

C1

History is full of martyrs who fought for justice.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • sacrificado (self-sacrificing)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • morir como un mártir – to die like a martyr
  • mártir de la causa – martyr for the cause

martyr

Also: sufferer
Nounm or fC1informal
A person sitting on a chair dramatically holding their forehead and sighing, while people nearby watch with concern.

📝 In Action

No te hagas el mártir solo porque tienes que limpiar la cocina.

B2

Don't play the martyr just because you have to clean the kitchen.

Mi abuela es una mártir; siempre está cuidando a todos sin quejarse.

B2

My grandmother is a saint/sufferer; she's always taking care of everyone without complaining.

Le encanta ir de mártir por la vida para dar pena.

C1

He loves to go through life acting like a martyr so people feel sorry for him.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • sufridor (sufferer)
  • víctima (victim)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • hacerse el mártir – to play the martyr
  • ir de mártir – to act like a martyr

Idioms & Expressions

  • Hacerse el mártir – To pretend to suffer more than you really are to gain sympathy or make others feel guilty.

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "mártir" in Spanish:

martyr→sufferer→witness→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: mártir

Question 1 of 3

Which of these is the correct feminine form of 'mártir'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
martirio(martyrdom / agony) — Noun
martirizar(to martyrize / to torment) — Verb
martirologio(list of martyrs) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
mártir
📚 Etymology▼

From the Greek word 'martys', which originally meant 'witness.' In early Christianity, this referred to those who 'witnessed' their faith by suffering death.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: martyrFrench: martyrItalian: martire

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'mártir' only used in religious contexts?

No. While it has religious roots, it is frequently used in politics (mártir de la revolución) and figuratively in daily life to describe someone who complains a lot or sacrifices themselves for others.

Why does 'mártir' have an accent mark?

Spanish words that end in 'r' usually have the stress on the last syllable (like 'hablar'). Because 'mártir' has the stress on the first syllable, it must have an accent mark to show the exception.

What is the plural of 'mártir'?

The plural is 'mártires'. Note that it keeps the accent mark on the 'á'.