santos
“santos” means “saints” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
saints
Also: holy ones
📝 In Action
La catedral tiene muchas estatuas de santos.
A2The cathedral has many statues of saints.
El Día de Todos los Santos se celebra el 1 de noviembre.
B1All Saints' Day is celebrated on November 1st.
holy
Also: saintly
📝 In Action
Necesitamos leer los textos santos para entender la fe.
B1We need to read the holy texts to understand the faith.
Los padres santos enseñaron con sabiduría.
B2The saintly fathers taught with wisdom.
good heavens!
Also: gosh!
📝 In Action
¡Santos cielos! No puedo creer lo que acaba de pasar.
B1Good heavens! I can't believe what just happened.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: santos
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'santos' as an adjective?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin word *sanctus*, which means 'consecrated' or 'sacred.' It entered Spanish with a strong religious meaning, referring to those set apart by God.
First recorded: Medieval Spanish (around the 10th-12th century)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'santos' only used in religious contexts?
Mostly, yes. When used as a noun (saints) or an adjective (holy), it carries a strong spiritual connotation. However, the exclamation '¡Santos cielos!' is very common and can be used by anyone to express surprise, regardless of their beliefs.
What is the difference between 'santo' and 'santos'?
'Santo' is the singular form, meaning one male saint or one holy thing (e.g., 'un santo' or 'un lugar santo'). 'Santos' is the plural form, referring to multiple male saints or multiple holy things.