piadoso
“piadoso” means “devout” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
devout
Also: pious
📝 In Action
El abuelo era un hombre muy piadoso que iba a misa todos los días.
B1Grandpa was a very devout man who went to Mass every day.
Llevaba una vida piadosa dedicada a ayudar a los demás.
B2He led a pious life dedicated to helping others.
Sus palabras eran piadosas y llenas de fe.
C1His words were devout and full of faith.
merciful
Also: compassionate, white (lie)
📝 In Action
A veces es mejor decir una mentira piadosa para no herir sus sentimientos.
B1Sometimes it's better to tell a white lie so as not to hurt their feelings.
Tuvo un gesto piadoso con el prisionero.
B2He had a merciful gesture toward the prisoner.
La reina fue piadosa y perdonó al ladrón.
C1The queen was merciful and forgave the thief.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: piadoso
Question 1 of 3
How do you say 'white lie' in Spanish?
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👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin 'pietōsus', which comes from 'pietas' (piety or sense of duty). In Latin, it described someone who honored their family, country, and gods.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'piadoso' always have to do with religion?
No! While it often describes religious devotion, it is very commonly used to describe someone who is simply merciful or compassionate toward others.
Can I use 'piadoso' for a 'pity party'?
No, 'piadoso' is generally a positive or neutral quality. To describe feeling sorry for yourself, you'd use other expressions like 'autocompasión'.
Is 'pious' the best translation?
In religious contexts, yes. However, since 'pious' can sometimes sound negative in English (meaning 'holier-than-thou'), 'devout' is often a more accurate and positive translation for 'piadoso'.