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 secular, everyday sense, often related to good luck or favorable circumstances.
afortunado
ah-for-too-NAH-doha.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-tohbenˈdito
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-dohalaˈβaðo
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.
dichoso
dee-CHOH-sohdiˈtʃoso
Examples
Soy un hombre dichoso por tenerte a mi lado.
I am a happy man for having you by my side.
Dichosos los ojos que te ven.
Blessed are the eyes that see you (A common way to say 'it's great to see you').
Vivieron unos años dichosos en el campo.
They lived some happy years in the countryside.
Ending Changes
This word changes to 'dichosa' when describing female people or things, and adds an 's' for groups.
Dichoso vs. Feliz
Mistake: “Using 'dichoso' for a quick mood boost.”
Correction: Use 'feliz' for 'happy' in general. 'Dichoso' feels more like 'lucky' or 'blessed' in this context.
santo
sahn-tohˈsan.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.
glorioso
glo-RYOH-sohɡloˈɾjoso
Examples
Los santos viven en un estado glorioso.
The saints live in a blessed state.
Religious Context
In a religious setting, this word describes someone who is already in heaven or the nature of divine things.
Confusing 'Blessed' with 'Lucky'
Related Translations
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