Inklingo

How to Say "spirit" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “spirit” is “espíritu” — use 'espíritu' when referring to the non-physical essence of a person, a supernatural being, or the general mood or attitude of a group.

espírituB1

Use 'espíritu' when referring to the non-physical essence of a person, a supernatural being, or the general mood or attitude of a group.

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ánimoB1

Use 'ánimo' to talk about someone's mental or emotional state, their mood, or their energy level.

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alma🔊B1

Choose 'alma' when referring to the immortal, essential consciousness or inner self of a person.

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alcohol🔊A2

Use 'alcohol' for the chemical substance, often used as a disinfectant or solvent, and also for alcoholic drinks.

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genio🔊A2

Use 'genio' for a supernatural being like a genie or djinn, or for a person's inherent character or temper.

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aliento🔊B1

Opt for 'aliento' when you mean encouragement, support, or the inner strength that keeps you going.

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moral🔊B1

Use 'moral' to refer to a person's or group's confidence, enthusiasm, and mental strength, often in the face of adversity.

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nervio🔊B1

Use 'nervio' to describe liveliness, energy, or a dynamic quality in a performance or a person.

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licor🔊B2

Use 'licor' specifically for distilled alcoholic beverages, often implying a more refined or potent drink than 'alcohol'.

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casta🔊B2

Use 'casta' to refer to breed or lineage, especially in animals, or to a determined spirit shown in difficult situations.

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pecho🔊B2

Use 'pecho' metaphorically to indicate courage, resolve, or inner feeling when someone takes a stand or defends something.

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tenor🔊C1

Use 'tenor' to describe the general meaning, implication, or underlying nature of something that has been said or written.

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English → Spanish

espíritu

nounB1general
Use 'espíritu' when referring to the non-physical essence of a person, a supernatural being, or the general mood or attitude of a group.

Examples

Me gusta el espíritu de equipo que hay en esta oficina.

I like the team spirit (attitude) that exists in this office.

ánimo

nounB1general
Use 'ánimo' to talk about someone's mental or emotional state, their mood, or their energy level.

Examples

No tengo mucho ánimo para ir a trabajar hoy.

I don't have much energy/spirit to go to work today.

alma

al-mahˈalma

nounB1general
Choose 'alma' when referring to the immortal, essential consciousness or inner self of a person.
A simple silhouette of a human figure standing. Inside the figure's outline, a bright, warm yellow light is swirling and radiating, symbolizing the spiritual soul.

Examples

Creen que el alma es inmortal.

They believe the soul is immortal.

Puso toda su alma y corazón en el proyecto.

He put his whole heart and soul into the project.

Es una persona con un alma muy noble.

She is a person with a very noble soul.

The Tricky Article 'el'

Alma is a feminine word, but we say el alma instead of la alma. This happens with feminine words that start with a stressed 'a' sound to avoid the two 'a' sounds running together. When you add a word in between or an adjective after, you use the normal feminine form: una buena alma (a good soul) or el alma pura (the pure soul).

Using 'la' instead of 'el'

Mistake: “La alma es invisible.”

Correction: El alma es invisible. Remember, even though 'alma' is feminine, we use 'el' right before it because it starts with that stressed 'a' sound.

alcohol

ahl-KOHLalˈkol

nounA2general
Use 'alcohol' for the chemical substance, often used as a disinfectant or solvent, and also for alcoholic drinks.
A simple, clear glass bottle with a white cap, containing a transparent liquid, representing rubbing alcohol or a generic chemical substance.

Examples

Necesitas alcohol para desinfectar esa pequeña herida.

You need alcohol to disinfect that small wound.

Llevo siempre un poco de alcohol en gel en mi bolso.

I always carry a little hand sanitizer in my bag.

Masculine Gender

Even though it ends in '-ol', remember that 'alcohol' is a masculine noun, so use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el alcohol'.

genio

HEH-nee-ohˈxe.njo

nounA2general
Use 'genio' for a supernatural being like a genie or djinn, or for a person's inherent character or temper.
A cartoonish figure with a bright red face, steam puffing vigorously out of their ears, showing extreme anger.

Examples

Tiene muy mal genio por las mañanas.

He has a very bad temper in the mornings.

Hoy mi jefe está de buen genio, ¡aprovecha!

My boss is in a good mood today, take advantage of it!

No le digas nada, está de mal genio.

Don't tell him anything, he's in a bad temper/mood.

El genio salió de la lámpara mágica y ofreció tres deseos.

The genie came out of the magic lamp and offered three wishes.

Expressing Mood

When talking about someone's current mood or state, use 'estar de buen/mal genio'. When talking about their permanent personality trait, use 'tener buen/mal genio'.

Confusing 'Ser' and 'Tener'

Mistake: “Using 'Él es mal genio.'”

Correction: Say 'Él tiene mal genio.' (He has a bad temper). 'Ser' is used for permanent qualities, but 'tener' (to have) is used for possessing a temper.

aliento

ah-LYEN-tohaˈljento

nounB1general
Opt for 'aliento' when you mean encouragement, support, or the inner strength that keeps you going.
A simplified storybook scene showing one smiling figure placing a supportive hand on the shoulder of a smaller figure, who looks uplifted and encouraged.

Examples

Sus palabras de aliento me ayudaron a no rendirme.

His words of encouragement helped me not to give up.

El equipo necesita un poco de aliento de los aficionados.

The team needs a little spirit/encouragement from the fans.

Recuperó el aliento y decidió seguir adelante con el proyecto.

He recovered his spirit/strength and decided to move forward with the project.

Figurative Use

This meaning uses 'aliento' as a metaphor for an inner life force or strength. Think of breath as the essence of life and vigor.

moral

moh-RAHLmoˈɾal

nounB1general
Use 'moral' to refer to a person's or group's confidence, enthusiasm, and mental strength, often in the face of adversity.
Three diverse, cartoon-style characters standing close together, smiling and enthusiastically raising their hands high in the air, showing unity and high spirits.

Examples

La victoria subió la moral del equipo.

The victory raised the team's morale.

Es importante mantener la moral alta durante la crisis.

It is important to keep spirits high during the crisis.

El discurso del jefe afectó negativamente la moral de los empleados.

The boss's speech negatively affected employee morale.

Gender is Key

When 'moral' means 'morale' or 'spirit,' it is always feminine: 'LA moral'. This helps distinguish it from the adjective 'moral' (meaning ethical).

Using the Wrong Article

Mistake: “El moral está bajo.”

Correction: La moral está baja. (Morale is low.) Remember to use 'la' and make the descriptive word agree with the feminine noun.

nervio

NER-byohˈner.βjo

nounB1general
Use 'nervio' to describe liveliness, energy, or a dynamic quality in a performance or a person.
A person with wide eyes and clenched hands looking anxious, with colorful zig-zag lines around their head to represent stress.

Examples

Tengo muchos nervios por el examen de mañana.

I'm very nervous about tomorrow's exam.

Esa canción tiene mucho nervio.

That song has a lot of energy/spirit.

Los nervios me traicionaron durante la entrevista.

My nerves got the better of me during the interview.

Using 'Tener' vs 'Estar'

Use 'tener nervios' (to have nerves) for the feeling of anxiety, but use 'estar nervioso' (to be nervous) to describe your state.

Plural for Anxiety

Mistake: “Tengo un nervio.”

Correction: Tengo nervios.

licor

lee-KORliˈkoɾ

nounB2general
Use 'licor' specifically for distilled alcoholic beverages, often implying a more refined or potent drink than 'alcohol'.
A minimalist illustration showing a clear glass bottle holding a rich, golden-brown alcoholic beverage, emphasizing the color and clarity of the strong drink.

Examples

Mi abuelo siempre toma un vaso de licor de hierbas después de la cena.

My grandfather always has a glass of herbal liqueur after dinner.

Necesitamos ir a la tienda de licores a comprar ron y tequila.

We need to go to the liquor store to buy rum and tequila.

El consumo excesivo de licor puede ser perjudicial para la salud.

Excessive consumption of liquor can be harmful to health.

Masculine Noun Rule

Remember that 'licor' is always masculine, so you must use masculine words like 'el' (the) or 'un' (a) before it: 'el licor' is correct.

Confusing 'Licor' and 'Cerveza'

Mistake: “Using 'licor' to mean beer.”

Correction: 'Licor' only refers to distilled alcohol (like whiskey or rum) or sweet liqueurs. Use 'cerveza' for beer.

casta

kahs-tahˈkasta

nounB2general
Use 'casta' to refer to breed or lineage, especially in animals, or to a determined spirit shown in difficult situations.
A large, sturdy oak tree with deep, visible roots and many branches spread out against a soft blue sky.

Examples

Ese caballo es de buena casta.

That horse is of a good breed.

Le viene de casta ser tan valiente; su abuelo era igual.

Being so brave runs in his blood; his grandfather was the same.

El equipo perdió, pero demostró tener mucha casta.

The team lost, but they showed a lot of spirit and grit.

Always Feminine

Even when you are talking about a male animal or a man's lineage, 'casta' remains a feminine noun. You would say 'el perro es de buena casta,' not 'casto.'

Using it for 'Cast'

Mistake: “El casta de la película es famoso.”

Correction: El reparto de la película es famoso.

pecho

PEH-chohˈpet͡ʃo

nounB2figurative
Use 'pecho' metaphorically to indicate courage, resolve, or inner feeling when someone takes a stand or defends something.
A simplified figure standing tall and resolute, chest slightly puffed out, facing forward with determination, symbolizing courage.

Examples

Puso el pecho para defender su proyecto.

He showed courage (or 'put his heart into it') to defend his project.

Ella sacó pecho cuando ganó el premio.

She puffed out her chest (showed pride/bravery) when she won the award.

Using 'Poner el Pecho'

This phrase literally means 'to put the chest out,' but it functions like saying 'to take the hit' or 'to step up and face a difficult situation' for someone or something.

tenor

te-NORteˈnoɾ

nounC1formal
Use 'tenor' to describe the general meaning, implication, or underlying nature of something that has been said or written.
An open scroll of paper showing lines of handwriting and a wax seal.

Examples

A tenor de lo dispuesto en el contrato, no podemos cancelar el servicio.

In accordance with what is stated in the contract, we cannot cancel the service.

El tenor literal de sus palabras fue muy sorprendente.

The literal wording of his words was very surprising.

Siguieron las instrucciones a tenor de la nueva normativa.

They followed the instructions according to the new regulations.

The phrase 'A tenor de'

Think of this as a fancy way to say 'based on' or 'according to.' It is always followed by a noun or a phrase starting with 'lo que'.

Adding an extra 'L'

Mistake: “Saying 'al tenor de'.”

Correction: The correct phrase is just 'a tenor de'. You don't need to combine 'a' and 'el' here unless 'tenor' is a separate object.

Espíritu vs. Ánimo vs. Aliento

Learners often confuse 'espíritu', 'ánimo', and 'aliento'. Remember 'espíritu' is often about the non-physical self or a group's vibe, 'ánimo' is about one's emotional state or energy level, and 'aliento' specifically means encouragement or inner vigor.

Related Translations

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