Inklingo

How to Say "everlasting" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “everlasting” is “eterno” — use 'eterno' when referring to a timeless quality, something that exists outside of time or is meant to last through all of time, often with a philosophical or spiritual connotation.

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eterno

eh-TEHR-noheˈteɾno

adjectiveC1general
Use 'eterno' when referring to a timeless quality, something that exists outside of time or is meant to last through all of time, often with a philosophical or spiritual connotation.
A simple winding river flowing through a lush green landscape toward a distant horizon, implying perpetual motion and never-ending existence.

Examples

Dicen que el alma es eterna y nunca muere.

They say the soul is eternal and never dies.

La búsqueda de la felicidad eterna es un tema filosófico.

The search for everlasting happiness is a philosophical topic.

Gender and Number

Remember to change the ending to match the noun: 'eterno' (masculine singular), 'eterna' (feminine singular), 'eternos' (masculine plural), and 'eternas' (feminine plural).

inmortal

in-mor-TALin.morˈtal

adjectiveB1general
Choose 'inmortal' when emphasizing the inability to die or cease to exist, commonly used for beings or concepts that are literally deathless.
A drawing of an ancient, robust tree with vibrant, glowing green leaves and deep roots, symbolizing eternal life and endless growth.

Examples

Los dioses griegos son inmortales.

The Greek gods are immortal.

Su música se ha convertido en un legado inmortal.

His music has become an immortal legacy (a legacy that will never die).

El amor verdadero es inmortal.

True love is everlasting.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'inmortal' ends in a consonant ('l'), it uses the same form for masculine and feminine nouns. It only changes in the plural: 'la leyenda inmortal' / 'las leyendas inmortales'.

Confusing 'Inmortal' and 'Eterno'

Mistake: “Sometimes learners use 'inmortal' when they mean 'eternal' (e.g., 'el tiempo es inmortal').”

Correction: Use 'eterno' (eternal) for things that have no beginning or end, like time or the universe. Use 'inmortal' for beings or legacies that cannot die.

perpetuo

per-PEH-twopeɾˈpetwo

adjectiveB1general
Use 'perpetuo' to describe something that is continuous, never-ending, or goes on without interruption, often applied to ongoing states or phenomena.
A river flowing continuously through a lush green valley under a bright sun.

Examples

Las montañas están cubiertas de nieve perpetua.

The mountains are covered in perpetual snow.

Él busca el movimiento perpetuo en su invento.

He is looking for perpetual motion in his invention.

El condenado recibió cadena perpetua.

The convict received a life sentence.

Matching Gender and Number

Since this is an adjective ending in -o, you must change it to 'perpetua' for feminine words and add an -s for plural (perpetuos/perpetuas).

Placement for Emphasis

Usually, this word comes after the thing it describes. Putting it before (e.g., 'su perpetuo silencio') makes the sentence sound very poetic or dramatic.

Don't forget the 'a'

Mistake: “La nieve perpetuo.”

Correction: La nieve perpetua. Because 'nieve' is a feminine word, the ending of the adjective must change to match it.

Distinguishing Timelessness from Unending Duration

Learners often confuse 'eterno' and 'perpetuo'. Remember that 'eterno' implies existence outside of time or a timeless quality, often abstract, while 'perpetuo' refers to something that simply continues without end in time, like an ongoing process or state.

Related Translations

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