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 or creature, or a general feeling like team spirit..

espírituA2

Use 'espíritu' when referring to the non-physical essence of a person or creature, or a general feeling like team spirit.

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alma🔊B1

Use 'alma' specifically when talking about the soul as the immortal, essential part of a person in a religious or philosophical context.

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ánimoB1

Choose 'ánimo' to describe someone's general mood, mental state, or lack of energy or enthusiasm for doing something.

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aliento🔊B1

Use 'aliento' to refer to inner strength, vigor, or encouragement that helps someone persevere.

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moral🔊B1

Use 'moral' when specifically referring to the mental strength or confidence of a group or individual, often in the context of a challenge.

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licor🔊B2

Use 'licor' as the general term for distilled alcoholic beverages, often sweet or flavored, like liqueur.

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English → Spanish

espíritu

nounA2General
Use 'espíritu' when referring to the non-physical essence of a person or creature, or a general feeling like team spirit.

Examples

Me encanta el espíritu navideño que se siente en la ciudad.

I love the Christmas spirit that can be felt in the city.

alma

/al-mah//ˈalma/

nounB1General/Philosophical
Use 'alma' specifically when talking about the soul as the immortal, essential part of a person in a religious or philosophical context.
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

Los antiguos egipcios creían en la vida después de la muerte del alma.

Ancient Egyptians believed in life after the death of the soul.

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.

ánimo

nounB1General
Choose 'ánimo' to describe someone's general mood, mental state, or lack of energy or enthusiasm for doing something.

Examples

Después de la mala noticia, perdió todo el ánimo.

After the bad news, he lost all his spirit/enthusiasm.

aliento

/ah-LYEN-toh//aˈljento/

nounB1General
Use 'aliento' to refer to inner strength, vigor, or encouragement that helps someone persevere.
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

Necesitaba un poco de aliento para terminar la maratón.

I needed a bit of spirit/encouragement to finish the marathon.

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-RAHL/moˈɾal/

nounB1General
Use 'moral' when specifically referring to the mental strength or confidence of a group or individual, often in the context of a challenge.
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 del equipo mejoró su moral para el próximo partido.

The team's victory improved their morale/spirit for the next game.

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.

licor

lee-KOR/liˈkoɾ/

nounB2Informal/Culinary
Use 'licor' as the general term for distilled alcoholic beverages, often sweet or flavored, like liqueur.
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

Me gusta añadir un poco de licor de café a mi postre.

I like to add a bit of coffee liqueur to my dessert.

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.

Soul vs. Spirit vs. Mood

Learners often confuse 'alma' (soul, the immortal essence) with 'espíritu' (spirit, non-physical being or attitude) and 'ánimo' (mood, general spirit/energy). Remember 'alma' is usually about eternal life, 'espíritu' about intangible presence or attitude, and 'ánimo' about your current state of mind or energy.

Related Translations

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