Inklingo

How to Say "holy" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “holy” is “santo” — use 'santo' for concepts of spiritual purity or for specific religious observances, most famously 'Semana Santa' (Holy Week)..

English → Spanish

santo

/sahn-toh//ˈsan.to/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'santo' for concepts of spiritual purity or for specific religious observances, most famously 'Semana Santa' (Holy Week).
A pristine white dove soaring towards a brilliant shaft of golden light descending from the sky.

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.

sagrado

sah-GRAH-doh/saˈɣɾa.ðo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'sagrado' when referring to places, objects, or concepts that are consecrated or set apart for religious worship or reverence.
A single, simple golden chalice, glowing softly with divine light, resting on a stone pedestal in a serene setting, symbolizing something sacred.

Examples

Esta montaña es considerada un lugar sagrado por la tribu.

This mountain is considered a sacred place by the tribe.

Los textos sagrados contienen las enseñanzas de la fe.

The holy texts contain the teachings of the faith.

Adjective Agreement

Remember that 'sagrado' changes its ending to match the noun it describes: 'un momento sagrado' (masculine) vs. 'una promesa sagrada' (feminine).

bendita

/ben-DEE-tah//benˈdita/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'bendita' primarily for religious items or blessings, often implying something that has been consecrated or is divinely favored.
A golden cup glowing with soft light on a simple wooden table.

Examples

El sacerdote nos roció con agua bendita.

The priest sprinkled us with holy water.

¡Bendita sea tu suerte!

Blessed be your luck!

Matching the Noun

This word ends in 'a' because it describes feminine things. If you are describing something masculine, you must use 'bendito'.

Placement Matters

Mistake: “Using 'bendita agua' for holy water.”

Correction: Say 'agua bendita'. In religious phrases, this word usually comes after the item it describes.

divino

dee-VEE-noh/diˈβi.no/

AdjectiveB2General
Use 'divino' to describe something pertaining to God or a deity, or having a transcendent, spiritual quality, often in a more abstract or philosophical sense.
A gentle, radiant beam of golden light descending from a bright blue sky onto a peaceful, rolling green hill, symbolizing the divine.

Examples

La voluntad divina es un misterio para los humanos.

The divine will is a mystery to humans.

El poder divino protegió al pueblo de la plaga.

The divine power protected the people from the plague.

Estudió la naturaleza divina del universo.

She studied the divine nature of the universe.

Formal Contexts

When used in this literal sense, 'divino' often appears in religious, historical, or academic texts, making it a more formal word choice than when used as a compliment.

Choosing Between 'Santo' and 'Sagrado'

Learners often confuse 'santo' and 'sagrado'. Remember that 'santo' is typically used for specific religious holidays like 'Semana Santa' or general spiritual purity, while 'sagrado' refers to places or things specifically consecrated for worship.

Related Translations

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