Inklingo

How to Say "to pray" in Spanish

English → Spanish

rezar

reh-SAHR/reˈθaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'rezar' when referring to the act of reciting specific prayers, especially traditional ones like the rosary.
A young person kneeling peacefully with hands pressed together in a gesture of prayer, looking up towards a bright, ethereal light.

Examples

Todos los domingos, mi abuela va a la iglesia a rezar el rosario.

Every Sunday, my grandmother goes to church to pray the rosary.

Cuando estoy nervioso, siempre rezo un poco para calmarme.

When I'm nervous, I always pray a little bit to calm myself down.

Recé para que el examen no fuera demasiado difícil.

I prayed that the exam wouldn't be too difficult.

Spelling Change for Z

Because the letter 'z' cannot appear before 'e' or 'i' in Spanish, it changes to 'c' in the preterite 'yo' form (recé) and throughout the entire present subjunctive (rece, recemos, etc.). This keeps the original 's' sound.

Rezar vs. Orar

Mistake: “Using 'rezar' for private, unstructured conversation with God.”

Correction: Use 'rezar' for reciting formal, memorized prayers (like the Lord's Prayer). Use 'orar' for personal, spontaneous communication or meditation. Both mean 'to pray,' but 'rezar' is more about recitation.

orar

/oh-RAHR//oˈɾaɾ/

verbA2general
Choose 'orar' for a more general or personal form of prayer, often involving silent communication or meditation with a divine being.
A person kneeling with hands clasped together in a peaceful prayer.

Examples

Ella prefiere orar en silencio todas las mañanas.

She prefers to pray in silence every morning.

Estamos orando por la salud de tu abuelo.

We are praying for your grandfather's health.

El sacerdote invitó a todos a orar por la paz del mundo.

The priest invited everyone to pray for world peace.

Orar vs. Rezar

While both mean 'to pray,' 'rezar' often refers to reciting standard, set prayers (like the Rosary), while 'orar' is often used for personal, spontaneous conversation with God.

The preposition 'por'

In Spanish, you pray 'por' (on behalf of/for the sake of) someone or something. Example: 'Oro por ti' (I pray for you).

Confusing 'orar' with 'llorar'

Mistake: “Using 'orar' to mean 'to cry'.”

Correction: Say 'Lloro cuando estoy triste' (I cry when I'm sad). 'Orar' is only for spiritual prayer.

rogar

/ro-GAHR//roˈɡaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'rogar' specifically when praying to ask God or a deity for something, implying a plea or earnest request.
A person with their hands clasped together in a pleading gesture, looking up with a hopeful and emotional expression.

Examples

Te ruego que me perdones.

I beg you to forgive me.

Le rogamos que no fume en el edificio.

We request that you do not smoke in the building.

El niño rogó por un juguete nuevo.

The boy pleaded for a new toy.

The 'o' to 'ue' Switch

This verb changes its 'o' to 'ue' in almost all present forms. However, this change does NOT happen in the 'nosotros' (we) or 'vosotros' (you all) forms.

Triggering the Special Form

When you use 'rogar' to ask someone to do something (using 'que'), the verb that follows must use the subjunctive (special wish form), like: 'Ruego que vengas' (I beg that you come).

Spelling in the Past

Mistake: “yo rogé”

Correction: yo rogué. In the 'I' form of the past tense, you must add a 'u' after the 'g' to keep the hard 'g' sound.

Rezar vs. Orar

Learners often confuse 'rezar' and 'orar'. Remember that 'rezar' is typically used for reciting set prayers, while 'orar' is for a more general, often silent, communion with the divine.

Related Translations

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