sentencia
“sentencia” means “sentence” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
sentence, verdict
Also: judgment
📝 In Action
La sentencia por el robo fue de cinco años de prisión.
B1The sentence for the robbery was five years in prison.
El juez dictará la sentencia el próximo martes.
B2The judge will issue the verdict next Tuesday.
Los abogados están preparando una apelación contra la sentencia.
B2The lawyers are preparing an appeal against the ruling.
maxim, aphorism
Also: saying
📝 In Action
El libro de filosofía estaba lleno de sentencias sobre la vida y la muerte.
C1The philosophy book was full of maxims about life and death.
Ella habló con tanta autoridad que cada frase parecía una sentencia.
C2She spoke with such authority that every phrase seemed like a profound pronouncement.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: sentencia
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'sentencia' in its literary meaning (a wise saying)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin word *sententia*, which meant 'opinion, way of thinking, or judgment.' This origin explains both modern meanings: a legal judgment is an official opinion, and a maxim is a widely accepted thought.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'sentencia' always mean a prison sentence?
No. While it can mean a prison sentence, 'sentencia' broadly means the final legal decision or ruling of a judge or court, which could be anything from a fine to freedom, depending on the case.
How is 'sentencia' related to the English word 'sentence'?
They are direct relatives! Both come from the Latin *sententia*. In English, 'sentence' can mean a punishment or a grammatical unit (a string of words), reflecting the original Latin sense of a 'complete thought' or 'judgment'.