A small, sad figure sitting on the ground next to a broken ceramic jar, symbolizing a moral mistake or transgression. A single, dark cloud hovers directly above their head.

pecados

peh-KAH-dohs

nounmB1

sins?moral or religious transgression

Also:faults?minor errors or offenses,transgressions?formal context

📝 In Action

El sacerdote habló sobre los siete pecados capitales.

The priest spoke about the seven deadly sins.

Todos cometemos pecados de vez en cuando; nadie es perfecto.

We all commit faults (or make mistakes) from time to time; nobody is perfect.

Sus pecados del pasado le persiguieron toda la vida.

His past transgressions haunted him all his life.

Word Connections

Synonyms

errores (mistakes)
faltas (faults, shortcomings)
culpas (guilts, blames)

Antonyms

virtudes (virtues)
méritos (merits)

Common Collocations

confesar los pecados – to confess one's sins
pedir perdón por los pecados – to ask forgiveness for one's sins

Idioms & Expressions

cargar con los pecados de otros – to take the blame for others' mistakes

💡 Grammar Points

Plural Noun Rule

Since 'pecado' ends in a vowel ('o'), you make it plural by simply adding '-s' to the end: 'pecado' becomes 'pecados'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: "Using 'pecados' when you mean 'we sin' (pecamos)."

Correction: 'Pecados' is the thing (the sin). The action is 'pecar' (to sin). If you want to say 'We sin,' you use the verb form: 'Nosotros pecamos'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Figurative Use

You can use 'pecados' loosely to mean any serious mistake or indulgence, like 'comer muchos dulces es uno de mis pecados' (eating a lot of sweets is one of my faults).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: pecados

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'pecados' in a figurative, non-religious sense?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

pecado(sin (singular)) - noun

pecar(to sin) - verb

pecador(sinner) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'pecados' and 'errores'?

While both mean 'mistakes,' 'pecados' always implies a moral or ethical failing—something that is fundamentally wrong or against a moral code. 'Errores' are simply regular mistakes, like typos or miscalculations, without that moral weight.