Inklingo

How to Say "prayer" in Spanish

English → Spanish

oración

nounB1formal
Use 'oración' when referring to a specific religious or spiritual petition or a formal prayer, often spoken or written.

Examples

Antes de comer, la familia dijo una breve oración.

Before eating, the family said a brief prayer.

rezo

/REH-soh//ˈreθo/

nounA2
Use 'rezo' when talking about the act of praying or the specific words of a prayer that are recited, especially as a routine.
A pair of hands gently pressed together in a gesture of prayer against a soft blue background.

Examples

El rezo de la mañana me ayuda a estar tranquilo.

Morning prayer helps me stay calm.

Escuchamos los rezos desde la calle.

We heard the prayers from the street.

Naming the Action

Even though 'rezo' looks like a verb, when it follows words like 'el' (the) or 'un' (a), it is a noun describing the act of praying itself.

Prayer vs. Sentence

Mistake: “Using 'rezo' to mean a sentence in a book.”

Correction: Use 'oración' for a grammatical sentence. Use 'rezo' only for spiritual prayer.

Oración vs. Rezo

Learners often confuse 'oración' and 'rezo'. Remember that 'oración' is more about the content or a specific petition, while 'rezo' is more about the act or the recited words of a prayer.

Related Translations

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