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perpetua

per-PEH-twah/peɾˈpetwa/

perpetual

Also: lifelong, permanent
AdjectivefB2formal
A golden ring floating in a clear blue sky, forming a perfect circle with no beginning or end.

📝 In Action

Las cumbres de los Alpes tienen nieve perpetua.

B2

The peaks of the Alps have perpetual snow.

Buscaba una solución perpetua para el problema.

B2

He was looking for a permanent solution to the problem.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • nieve perpetua – perpetual snow
  • llama perpetua – eternal flame

life sentence

NounfC1formal
A heavy iron ball and chain resting on a stone floor inside a dim room with a small high window.

📝 In Action

El criminal fue condenado a la perpetua.

C1

The criminal was sentenced to life.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • cadena perpetua – life imprisonment
  • condenado a perpetua – sentenced to life

perpetuates

VerbB2regular ar
A person handing a glowing torch to a younger person to keep the flame burning.
gerundperpetuando
past Participleperpetuado
infinitiveperpetuar

📝 In Action

Este sistema perpetua la desigualdad.

B2

This system perpetuates inequality.

¡Perpetua el legado de tu abuelo!

C1

Perpetuate your grandfather's legacy!

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesperpetuaran
yoperpetuara
túperpetuaras
vosotrosperpetuarais
nosotrosperpetuáramos
él/ella/ustedperpetuara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesperpetúen
yoperpetúe
túperpetúes
vosotrosperpetuéis
nosotrosperpetuemos
él/ella/ustedperpetúe

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesperpetuaron
yoperpetué
túperpetuaste
vosotrosperpetuasteis
nosotrosperpetuamos
él/ella/ustedperpetuó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesperpetuaban
yoperpetuaba
túperpetuabas
vosotrosperpetuabais
nosotrosperpetuábamos
él/ella/ustedperpetuaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesperpetúan
yoperpetúo
túperpetúas
vosotrosperpetuáis
nosotrosperpetuamos
él/ella/ustedperpetúa
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "perpetua" in Spanish:

life sentence→permanent→perpetuates→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: perpetua

Question 1 of 2

Which of these phrases refers to a life sentence in prison?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
perpetuar(to perpetuate) — Verb
perpetuidad(perpetuity) — Noun
perpetuo(perpetual (masculine)) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
estatuamutua
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'perpetuus', meaning 'uninterrupted' or 'continuous'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: perpetualFrench: perpétuel

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'eterna' and 'perpetua'?

'Eterna' (eternal) often has a religious or spiritual feel (like 'eternal life'), whereas 'perpetua' (perpetual) is more often used for physical states, legal terms, or formal descriptions.

Is 'perpetua' a common word in daily speech?

No, it's quite formal. You'll mostly see it in the news (legal cases) or in books. In daily life, people use 'para siempre'.