How to Say "confession" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “confession” is “confesión” — use this word when someone admits to a fault, crime, or wrongdoing, often to an authority figure or in a general sense..
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confesión
nounB1general
Use this word when someone admits to a fault, crime, or wrongdoing, often to an authority figure or in a general sense.
Examples
La policía obtuvo una confesión del sospechoso.
The police obtained a confession from the suspect.
confesión
nounB2religious
Use this word for the religious sacrament or rite where a person confesses their sins, typically to a priest.
Examples
El sacerdote se sienta en el confesionario para escuchar la confesión.
The priest sits in the confessional box to hear Confession.
reconciliación
nounC1religious
Use this word specifically for the religious sacrament, emphasizing the act of reconciliation with God through confession.
Examples
El niño se prepara para el sacramento de la reconciliación.
The boy is preparing for the sacrament of reconciliation (confession).
Confusing Religious vs. General Confession
Learners often use 'confesión' for both admitting a crime and the religious sacrament. While 'confesión' can mean both, 'reconciliación' is a more specific term for the religious rite, especially when emphasizing the act of making peace with God.
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