santos
/SAHN-tohs/
saints
As a noun, 'santos' translates to 'saints,' referring to holy people recognized by a church.
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Plural Form
Remember that 'santos' is the plural form of 'santo' (one male saint). If you are talking about female saints, the word changes to 'santas'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Religious Context
This word is almost exclusively used in religious or historical contexts. If you mean 'holy' in a general sense (like 'holy ground'), the adjective form is often used.
The singular form 'santo' is an adjective meaning holy or sacred, referring to something blessed.
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'santos' must match the noun it describes in number (plural) and gender (masculine). For example, 'palabras santas' (holy words).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Positioning
Mistake: "Los santos textos (The saints texts)"
Correction: Los textos santos (The holy texts). Adjectives describing inherent qualities often go after the noun.
As an interjection, '¡Santos cielos!' is an exclamation used to express great surprise, meaning 'good heavens!'
📝 In Action
¡Santos cielos! No puedo creer lo que acaba de pasar.
B1Good heavens! I can't believe what just happened.
💡 Grammar Points
Fixed Phrase Usage
When used as an exclamation, 'santos' almost always appears in the phrase '¡Santos cielos!'. You won't hear it alone.
⭐ Usage Tips
Tone
This phrase is a bit old-fashioned or dramatic, similar to saying 'Goodness gracious' in English. It's often used humorously or for emphasis.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: santos
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'santos' as an adjective?
📚 More Resources
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.