sacerdote
sa-ser-DOH-teh
/saθeɾˈdo.te/
📝 In Action
El sacerdote ofició la boda en la iglesia principal.
B1The priest officiated the wedding in the main church.
Necesito hablar con un sacerdote sobre mis preocupaciones.
A2I need to speak with a priest about my concerns.
La comunidad se reunió para escuchar el sermón del joven sacerdote recién ordenado.
C1The community gathered to hear the sermon of the recently ordained young 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?
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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.