A smiling male priest wearing a black cassock and a white clerical collar, standing against a simple colored background.

sacerdote

sa-ser-DOH-teh

nounmB1

priest?male religious official, especially Catholic

Also:clergyman?general term for a male religious leader,minister?Protestant or non-Catholic religious leader

📝 In Action

El sacerdote ofició la boda en la iglesia principal.

The priest officiated the wedding in the main church.

Necesito hablar con un sacerdote sobre mis preocupaciones.

I need to speak with a priest about my concerns.

La comunidad se reunió para escuchar el sermón del joven sacerdote recién ordenado.

The community gathered to hear the sermon of the recently ordained young priest.

Word Connections

Synonyms

cura (priest (often Catholic, more common/informal))
clérigo (clergyman)
ministro (minister)

Antonyms

laico (layperson)

Common Collocations

ordenarse sacerdote – to be ordained (as a priest)
el respeto al sacerdote – respect for the priest

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun Rule

Even though this word ends in '-e', it is always masculine. Use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el sacerdote'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Gender

Mistake: "La sacerdote visitó el hospital."

Correction: El sacerdote visitó el hospital. (If referring to a male priest, the noun remains masculine.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal vs. Informal

'Sacerdote' is the formal and official term. 'Cura' is often used informally or colloquially for a Catholic priest.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: sacerdote

Question 1 of 1

Which word is the most common, informal way to refer to a Catholic priest in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

sacerdotisa(priestess (female religious leader in non-Catholic faiths)) - noun

sacerdocio(priesthood) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a feminine version of 'sacerdote'?

Yes, 'sacerdotisa' is the feminine form, meaning 'priestess.' However, because the Catholic Church (the dominant religion in many Spanish-speaking countries) does not ordain women, 'sacerdotisa' is usually used when referring to female religious leaders in other ancient or non-Catholic faiths.

What is the difference between 'sacerdote' and 'padre'?

'Sacerdote' is the official title for a priest. 'Padre' (father) is a respectful term of address used when speaking directly to a Catholic priest, similar to saying 'Father John' in English.