misericordia
“misericordia” means “mercy” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
mercy, compassionAlso: pity
📝 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.
Word Connections
Good heavens!, Oh, my god!Also: Mercy!
📝 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?
Word Connections
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "misericordia" in Spanish:
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: misericordia
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'misericordia' to express surprise or shock?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology
Comes directly from the Latin *misericordia*, which is a combination of *miser* (wretched or pitiable) and *cor* (heart). Literally, it means 'a heart for the wretched,' explaining why the word carries such moral weight.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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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.