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How to Say "shrine" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “shrine” is “altar” — use 'altar' for the physical structure where offerings are made or religious ceremonies take place, especially in a church or temple..

English → Spanish

altar

ahl-TARR/alˈtaɾ/

nounB1general
Use 'altar' for the physical structure where offerings are made or religious ceremonies take place, especially in a church or temple.
A raised stone altar inside a simple church, featuring one lit candle and a small vase of flowers.

Examples

El sacerdote se acercó al altar para oficiar la misa.

The priest approached the altar to officiate the mass.

En México, la gente construye altares de muertos en noviembre.

In Mexico, people build altars for the dead in November.

La iglesia tiene un hermoso altar tallado en madera antigua.

The church has a beautiful altar carved from antique wood.

Puso su ambición en el altar de su carrera.

He placed his ambition on the altar (i.e., sacrificed it for) his career.

Masculine Noun

Even though 'altar' ends in 'r' (which can sometimes be feminine), it is always a masculine noun: 'el altar'.

Gender confusion

Mistake: “La altar es grande.”

Correction: El altar es grande. (It must take the masculine article 'el'.)

santuario

/san-TWAH-ree-oh//sanˈtwaɾjo/

nounB1general
Choose 'santuario' to refer to a larger place of worship, often a building or complex, that attracts many visitors or pilgrims.
A stylized illustration of a white religious building featuring a large dome and a cross on its roof, set against a bright blue sky.

Examples

Millones de personas visitan el santuario cada año.

Millions of people visit the sanctuary every year.

Construyeron un pequeño santuario en honor a la virgen.

They built a small shrine in honor of the virgin.

Gender Reminder

Even though it ends in '-o', remember that 'santuario' is a masculine noun, so you always use 'el' or 'un' before it.

Pronouncing the 'u'

Mistake: “Pronouncing it as four separate syllables: 'san-tu-a-rio'.”

Correction: The 'u' and 'a' blend together to form a quick sound (a diphthong) in the middle: 'san-TWAH-rio'. This makes it three syllables.

capilla

kah-PEE-yah/kaˈpiʝa/

nounA2general
Use 'capilla' for a small, often private or independent, place of worship, typically dedicated to a specific saint.
A small stone building with arched windows and a cross on top, nestled in a green field.

Examples

La boda se celebró en una pequeña capilla en las montañas.

The wedding was held in a small chapel in the mountains.

Muchos hospitales tienen una capilla para los pacientes.

Many hospitals have a chapel for the patients.

Always Feminine

Even though it refers to a building, 'capilla' is always feminine. Use 'la capilla' or 'una capilla'.

Capilla vs. Iglesia

Mistake: “Using 'capilla' for a large city church.”

Correction: Use 'iglesia' for standard churches and 'catedral' for large ones. 'Capilla' is only for small rooms or tiny buildings.

templo

TEM-plo (Stress on the first syllable)/ˈtemplo/

nounB2general
Use 'templo' for a place dedicated to a specific concept, idea, or activity, often used figuratively to represent a place of great importance or reverence.
A quiet, peaceful forest clearing bathed in soft, ethereal sunlight, focusing on a single ancient tree, symbolizing a sanctuary or place of reverence.

Examples

La universidad es un templo del saber y la cultura.

The university is a temple (sanctuary) of knowledge and culture.

Cuidar de tu cuerpo es importante, es tu templo personal.

Taking care of your body is important; it is your personal temple.

Figurative Language

This meaning uses 'templo' as a metaphor, meaning a place or thing that is highly respected, important, or sacred, even if it’s not a physical building.

Altar vs. Santuario

Learners often confuse 'altar' and 'santuario'. Remember that 'altar' refers specifically to the raised structure used for ceremonies, while 'santuario' is the broader term for the entire holy place or building that houses it.

Related Translations

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