How to Say "blessed" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “blessed” is “afortunado” — use this word when 'blessed' means lucky or fortunate in a non-religious, everyday sense..
afortunado
ah-for-too-NAH-doh/a.for.tuˈna.ðo/
Examples
Soy muy afortunado de tener amigos tan buenos.
I am very lucky to have such good friends.
Fue un comentario afortunado que calmó la situación.
It was a fortunate comment that calmed the situation.
¿Te sientes afortunada hoy? ¡Yo sí!
Do you feel lucky today? I do!
Gender and Number Agreement
As an adjective, 'afortunado' changes its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'afortunada' (feminine singular), 'afortunados' (masculine plural), 'afortunadas' (feminine plural).
Using Ser or Estar
You typically use 'ser' (es/son) because being lucky is seen as a characteristic or long-term state. However, you can use 'estar' (está/están) if you are describing a temporary feeling: 'Estoy afortunado hoy' (I feel lucky today).
Forgetting the Gender Change
Mistake: “Ella es afortunado.”
Correction: Ella es afortunada. (The adjective must end in -a to match the feminine subject 'ella'.)
bendito
ben-DEE-toh/benˈdito/
Examples
El sacerdote roció agua bendita sobre la multitud.
The priest sprinkled blessed water over the crowd.
¡Qué bendito día hemos tenido! El sol brilló toda la mañana.
What a blessed day we've had! The sun shone all morning.
Mi bendito abuelo siempre me cuenta las mismas historias.
My dear grandfather always tells me the same stories.
Gender and Number
As an adjective, 'bendito' must change its ending to match the thing it describes: 'bendita' (f), 'benditos' (m plural), 'benditas' (f plural).
Mixing up the Adjective and the Exclamation
Mistake: “Using '¡Bendito!' as a regular adjective after a noun (e.g., 'un hombre bendito').”
Correction: While technically correct, 'bendito' usually comes before the noun when used emotionally ('un bendito hombre'). The exclamation '¡Bendito!' is a fixed phrase.
alabado
/ah-lah-BAH-doh//alaˈβaðo/
Examples
El cuadro fue muy alabado por los críticos de arte.
The painting was highly praised by the art critics.
¡Alabado sea Dios!
Praise be to God!
Using 'Alabado' as an Adjective
This word comes from the verb 'alabar' (to praise). When you use it as an adjective, it must match the gender and number of the person or thing you are describing. For a woman, use 'alabada'; for a group of people, use 'alabados'.
Matching Gender
Mistake: “La reina fue alabado.”
Correction: La reina fue alabada.
santo
/sahn-toh//ˈsan.to/
Examples
La Semana Santa es muy importante en España.
Holy Week is very important in Spain.
Dicen que ese lugar es tierra santa.
They say that place is holy land.
¡Qué santo día de trabajo hemos tenido!
What a colossal/huge day of work we've had!
Shortening Rule (Apócope)
When 'santo' is used before most singular masculine names, it shortens to 'San' (e.g., San Pedro, San Juan). The feminine form always stays 'Santa' (Santa Lucía).
Special Name Exceptions
Before masculine names starting with 'Do-' or 'To-,' the word remains 'Santo' (e.g., Santo Domingo, Santo Tomás). It also remains 'Santo' when used as a title after the noun (El Padre Santo).
Forgetting the Shortening
Mistake: “Visitamos el Santo Juan.”
Correction: Visitamos San Juan. Remember to shorten 'santo' before almost all male saint names.
Confusing 'afortunado' and 'bendito'
Related Translations
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