misericordia
/mee-seh-ree-KOR-dya/
mercy
When used as a noun, "misericordia" translates to "mercy," representing compassion shown toward someone in distress or an offender.
misericordia(noun)
mercy
?compassion shown toward an offender or enemy
,compassion
?deep sympathy for suffering
pity
?sympathy for someone's distress
📝 In Action
El juez mostró misericordia y redujo la sentencia del acusado.
B2The judge showed mercy and reduced the defendant's sentence.
La religión enseña la importancia de la misericordia hacia el prójimo.
C1Religion teaches the importance of compassion toward one's neighbor.
💡 Grammar Points
A Feminine Noun
Since it ends in -a, it is a feminine noun and requires feminine articles (la misericordia) and adjectives.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Contexts
This word is often used in situations involving serious moral, legal, or religious judgment, making it sound quite serious and formal compared to lighter words like 'pena' or 'lástima'.
As an interjection, "misericordia" is used to express strong surprise or distress, translating roughly to "Good heavens!" or "My goodness!"
misericordia(interjection)
Good heavens!
?expressing surprise or distress
,Oh, my god!
?expressing shock (non-religious use)
Mercy!
?older, dramatic expression of shock
📝 In Action
¡Misericordia! ¡Qué susto me has dado al aparecer así!
B1Good heavens! What a fright you gave me by appearing like that!
Misericordia, ¿viste el precio de esa casa?
B1Oh, my god, did you see the price of that house?
⭐ Usage Tips
Quick Reaction
When used as an interjection, it is typically exclaimed quickly and stands alone, usually followed by an exclamation mark.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: misericordia
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'misericordia' to express surprise or shock?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'misericordia' used in everyday conversation?
The noun form ('mercy/compassion') is generally reserved for formal, religious, or serious discussions about justice or forgiveness. The interjection form ('Good heavens!') is more common in everyday, though often dramatic, speech.