Inklingo

How to Say "sacred" in Spanish

English → Spanish

sagrado

sah-GRAH-doh/saˈɣɾa.ðo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'sagrado' when referring to something considered holy, spiritually significant, or deeply revered, often in a general or cultural sense.
A single, simple golden chalice, glowing softly with divine light, resting on a stone pedestal in a serene setting, symbolizing something sacred.

Examples

Este templo es un lugar sagrado para nuestros ancestros.

This temple is a sacred place for our ancestors.

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).

santo

/sahn-toh//ˈsan.to/

AdjectiveA2Religious
Use 'santo' primarily when referring to people, places, or things officially dedicated to or consecrated for religious worship, often within established religious systems.
A pristine white dove soaring towards a brilliant shaft of golden light descending from the sky.

Examples

San Juan Bautista es un santo muy venerado.

Saint John the Baptist is a highly venerated saint.

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 vs. Santo

Learners often confuse 'sagrado' and 'santo' because both relate to holiness. Remember that 'sagrado' is broader, referring to anything deeply revered or spiritually significant, while 'santo' is more specific, often denoting official religious dedication or a canonized person.

Related Translations

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