santo
“santo” means “holy” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
holy, sacred
Also: blessed
📝 In Action
La Semana Santa es muy importante en España.
A1Holy Week is very important in Spain.
Dicen que ese lugar es tierra santa.
A2They say that place is holy land.
¡Qué santo día de trabajo hemos tenido!
B1What a colossal/huge day of work we've had!
saint, patron saint
Also: feast day
📝 In Action
Mi abuela siempre reza a su santo favorito.
A2My grandmother always prays to her favorite saint.
Hoy es mi santo, ¿me felicitas?
B1Today is my saint's day (name day), will you wish me well?
Los Reyes Magos también son conocidos como los Santos Reyes.
B2The Three Wise Men are also known as the Holy Kings (Saints).
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: santo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the short form of 'santo'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin word *sanctus*, meaning 'consecrated' or 'sacred.' It has remained very similar in form and meaning throughout its history, referring both to the divine state and the person who achieves it.
First recorded: 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'santo' sometimes change to 'san'?
This is a historical change called 'apócope' where a word loses its final syllable. 'San' is used when the word comes immediately before most singular masculine proper names (like San Miguel), making the phrase flow better.
Is 'mi santo' related to my birthday?
'Mi santo' refers to your 'name day' (the feast day of the saint you were named after). While it's a day of celebration like a birthday, it is tied to the Catholic liturgical calendar, not your actual birth date.