pecado
/peh-CAH-doh/
sin
When used to mean 'sin' (pecado), the word refers to a moral or religious transgression.
pecado(noun)
sin
?moral or religious transgression
transgression
?formal synonym
,fault
?a serious mistake
📝 In Action
Mentir por costumbre se considera un pecado grave.
B1Lying habitually is considered a serious sin.
El sacerdote habló sobre el arrepentimiento de los pecados.
B2The priest spoke about the repentance of sins.
Muchas culturas tienen ideas diferentes sobre lo que es un pecado.
B1Many cultures have different ideas about what a sin is.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Reminder
Even though it ends in '-o', remember 'pecado' is always masculine, so use 'el pecado' or 'un pecado'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Beyond Religion
While often religious, you can use 'pecado' to describe any serious moral error or lapse in judgment, even in secular contexts.
Colloquially, pecado can be used to express a great pity or regret, meaning 'shame.'
pecado(noun)
shame
?a great pity or regret
,waste
?a terrible waste of something good
error
?a serious mistake or blunder
📝 In Action
Es un pecado tirar tanta comida; mejor dónala.
B2It's a shame/waste to throw away so much food; better to donate it.
¡Qué pecado que no pudieras venir a la fiesta!
B2What a pity/shame that you couldn't come to the party!
Dejar de estudiar ahora sería un pecado.
C1Stopping studying now would be a terrible mistake (a shame).
💡 Grammar Points
Expressing Regret
This meaning is almost always used impersonally: 'Es un pecado que...' (It is a shame that...). If you follow it with a verb, the verb often needs the special form for wishes and feelings (subjunctive).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Wrong Verb Form
Mistake: "Es un pecado que no fuiste."
Correction: Es un pecado que no fueras/hayas ido. (The expression of regret triggers the special verb form.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Stronger than 'Lástima'
Using 'pecado' to mean 'shame' is stronger and more dramatic than simply saying 'es una lástima' (it's a pity).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pecado
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'pecado' in its figurative sense (meaning 'shame' or 'waste')?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'pecado' and 'error'?
'Error' is a mistake, usually unintentional or technical (like a calculation error). 'Pecado' implies a moral failure, a serious fault, or a deliberate breaking of a moral rule. 'Pecado' carries much more weight.
How do you say 'to sin' in Spanish?
The verb form is 'pecar' (a regular -ar verb). For example, 'No quiero pecar' (I don't want to sin).