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pastor

pas-TOR/pasˈtoɾ/

shepherd

Also: herdsman
NounmB1
A man dressed as a shepherd, holding a crook, watching over a small flock of sheep in a green field.

📝 In Action

El pastor guió a sus ovejas a los pastos más verdes.

B1

The shepherd guided his sheep to the greener pastures.

Mi abuelo fue pastor durante casi toda su vida.

A2

My grandfather was a shepherd for almost his entire life.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ovejero (sheep herder)
  • zagal (young shepherd (archaic))

Common Collocations

  • perro pastor – sheepdog / herding dog

pastor

Also: minister
NounmB2
Spain and Latin America (General)
A person wearing formal clerical robes standing behind a simple wooden pulpit.

📝 In Action

El pastor de la iglesia local nos visitó en casa.

B2

The minister of the local church visited us at home.

El pastor dio un mensaje de esperanza a la congregación.

B2

The pastor gave a message of hope to the congregation.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • sacerdote (priest (Catholic context))
  • clérigo (clergyman)

Common Collocations

  • el buen pastor – the good shepherd (referring to Jesus Christ)

German Shepherd

Also: shepherd dog
NounmB1neutral/informal
A large, alert German Shepherd dog with tan and black fur sitting on a lawn.

📝 In Action

Ese pastor es muy leal y protector con la familia.

B1

That German Shepherd is very loyal and protective of the family.

Necesitamos un perro pastor para cuidar las ovejas.

B1

We need a shepherd dog to look after the sheep.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ovejero (herding dog (Argentina))

Common Collocations

  • pastor alemán – German Shepherd
  • pastor belga – Belgian Shepherd

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: pastor

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'pastor' in the metaphorical, religious sense?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
pastora(shepherdess / female pastor) — Noun
pastorear(to herd) — Verb
pastoreo(herding / grazing) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word 'pastor' comes directly from the Latin word *pastor*, meaning 'herdsman' or 'shepherd.' This Latin root is related to the verb *pascere*, which means 'to feed' or 'to graze.' This connection beautifully shows how the core meaning is about feeding and guiding—whether it's sheep or a congregation of people.

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: pastoreFrench: pasteur

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'pastor' only refer to shepherds of sheep?

While the original and primary meaning is a shepherd who tends sheep, it is also used commonly for a religious leader (a minister) and informally as a shortened name for a German Shepherd dog breed.

How do I say 'shepherdess' in Spanish?

The word for a female shepherd or a female minister is 'pastora.' It changes from masculine 'pastor' to feminine 'pastora'.