religiosa
/reh-lee-hee-OH-sah/
religious
The word 'religiosa' can describe someone who is religious or devout.
religiosa(adjective)
religious
?describing a person or thing
devout
?showing deep commitment to faith
,strict
?following a routine with great care
📝 In Action
Ella es una persona muy religiosa y va a misa todos los domingos.
A2She is a very religious person and goes to Mass every Sunday.
Esta es una tradición religiosa muy antigua.
B1This is a very old religious tradition.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Gender
Because this word ends in 'a', use it to describe women or words that are feminine, like 'la educación' or 'una mujer'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Don't capitalize unless necessary
Mistake: "una tradición Religiosa"
Correction: una tradición religiosa
⭐ Usage Tips
Using it for routines
You can use this word to describe someone who does something very strictly, like 'she is religious about her morning coffee'.
As a noun, 'religiosa' refers to a nun.
📝 In Action
La religiosa dedicó su vida a ayudar a los pobres.
B1The nun dedicated her life to helping the poor.
Varias religiosas viven en el convento de la ciudad.
B2Several nuns live in the city's convent.
💡 Grammar Points
Formal Nouns
While 'monja' is the most common word for 'nun', 'religiosa' is often considered more formal or respectful.
⭐ Usage Tips
Plural Form
If you are talking about a group of nuns, use 'las religiosas'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: religiosa
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'religiosa' to mean a 'nun'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'monja' and 'religiosa'?
They both mean 'nun'. 'Monja' is the common, everyday word, while 'religiosa' is a bit more formal and is often used by the Church or in official documents.
Is 'religiosa' always about church?
Mostly, yes. However, it can figuratively mean doing something with extreme consistency and care, similar to the English phrase 'he checks his email religiously'.