Inklingo

orar

oh-RAHRoˈɾaɾ

orar means to pray in Spanish (to communicate with a deity or spiritual being).

to pray

Also: to speak publicly
VerbA2regular arformal
A person kneeling with hands clasped together in a peaceful prayer.
gerundorando
past Participleorado
infinitiveorar

📝 In Action

Ella prefiere orar en silencio todas las mañanas.

A1

She prefers to pray in silence every morning.

Estamos orando por la salud de tu abuelo.

A2

We are praying for your grandfather's health.

El sacerdote invitó a todos a orar por la paz del mundo.

B1

The priest invited everyone to pray for world peace.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • blasfemar (to curse/blaspheme)
  • maldecir (to curse)

Common Collocations

  • orar por alguiento pray for someone
  • orar en voz altato pray out loud

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoorara
oraras
él/ella/ustedorara
nosotrosoráramos
vosotrosorarais
ellos/ellas/ustedesoraran

Present Subjunctive

yoore
ores
él/ella/ustedore
nosotrosoremos
vosotrosoréis
ellos/ellas/ustedesoren

Indicative

Preterite

yooré
oraste
él/ella/ustedoró
nosotrosoramos
vosotrosorasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesoraron

Imperfect

yooraba
orabas
él/ella/ustedoraba
nosotrosorábamos
vosotrosorabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesoraban

Present

yooro
oras
él/ella/ustedora
nosotrosoramos
vosotrosoráis
ellos/ellas/ustedesoran

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "orar" in Spanish:

to pray

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: orar

Question 1 of 3

Which verb is typically used for reciting a specific, traditional prayer like the 'Padre Nuestro'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
oración(prayer / sentence)Noun
orador(speaker/orator)Noun
oratorio(oratory/chapel)Noun
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

From the Latin word 'orare', which originally meant 'to speak' or 'to plead a case'.

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: oralPortuguese: orarFrench: oraison

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'orar' and 'rezar'?

'Rezar' is more common in daily life and often implies reciting standard prayers. 'Orar' is more formal and usually refers to a personal, spiritual talk with God.

Is 'orar' a regular verb?

Yes! It follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ar, making it very easy to conjugate.

Does 'orar' mean 'to talk'?

In very old or formal literature, it can mean 'to speak,' but in modern Spanish, it is almost exclusively used to mean 'to pray'.