A comprehensive guide to Spanish vocabulary for worship places, including types of locations, common objects found, descriptive terms, and cultural practices related to religious spaces.
Worship places are locations where people gather to practice their faith, pray, and participate in religious ceremonies. In Spanish, these places and the objects within them have specific names that vary by denomination and cultural tradition. This guide covers the most common terms and helps you describe and understand conversations about religious spaces in Spanish.
Types of Worship Places
Here are some of the most common types of worship places in Spanish, along with example sentences to show how they are used.
| Singular | Plural | Example (Singular) | Example (Plural) |
|---|---|---|---|
| iglesia | iglesias | La iglesia está abierta. | Las iglesias están decoradas. |
| templo | templos | El templo es antiguo. | Los templos son sagrados. |
| sinagoga | sinagogas | La sinagoga está cerca. | Las sinagogas son silenciosas. |
| mezquita | mezquitas | La mezquita tiene una cúpula. | Las mezquitas tienen minaretes. |
| catedral | catedrales | La catedral es enorme. | Las catedrales son impresionantes. |
| capilla | capillas | La capilla es pequeña. | Las capillas están en el monasterio. |
| santuario | santuarios | Visitamos el santuario. | Los santuarios reciben peregrinos. |
| monasterio | monasterios | El monasterio es tranquilo. | Los monasterios tienen bibliotecas. |
| ermita | ermitas | La ermita está en la montaña. | Las ermitas son aisladas. |
| abadía | abadías | La abadía es histórica. | Las abadías son antiguas. |
Common Objects in Worship Places
These are objects you often find in worship places. They are useful for describing the interior and understanding religious rituals.
| Singular | Plural | Example (Singular) | Example (Plural) |
|---|---|---|---|
| altar | altares | El altar está adornado. | Los altares tienen velas. |
| crucifijo | crucifijos | Hay un crucifijo en la pared. | Los crucifijos son de madera. |
| vela | velas | Encendemos una vela. | Las velas están en el altar. |
| banco | bancos | Nos sentamos en el banco. | Los bancos son de madera. |
| imagen | imágenes | La imagen es de la Virgen. | Las imágenes son religiosas. |
| órgano | órganos | El órgano suena fuerte. | Los órganos son antiguos. |
| incensario | incensarios | Usan un incensario en la misa. | Los incensarios huelen a incienso. |
| confesionario | confesionales | Voy al confesionario. | Los confesionales están cerrados. |
| púlpito | púlpitos | El sermón es desde el púlpito. | Los púlpitos son altos. |
| campana | campanas | Toca la campana. | Las campanas suenan a las ocho. |
Descriptive Terms for Worship Places
These adjectives and descriptive phrases help you talk about the atmosphere, appearance, and significance of worship places.
| Spanish | English | Example (Spanish) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| sagrado/a | sacred | Es un lugar sagrado. | It is a sacred place. |
| silencioso/a | silent | La iglesia está silenciosa. | The church is silent. |
| antiguo/a | ancient | El templo es antiguo. | The temple is ancient. |
| decorado/a | decorated | La capilla está decorada. | The chapel is decorated. |
| solemne | solemn | Hay un ambiente solemne. | There is a solemn atmosphere. |
| tranquilo/a | quiet | El monasterio es tranquilo. | The monastery is quiet. |
| espacioso/a | spacious | La catedral es espaciosa. | The cathedral is spacious. |
| oscuro/a | dark | La iglesia está oscura. | The church is dark. |
| luminoso/a | bright | El altar es luminoso. | The altar is bright. |
| impresionante | impressive | La estructura es impresionante. | The structure is impressive. |
El templo es ___.
What is the Spanish adjective for 'ancient'?
antiguo
The Spanish adjective for 'ancient' is 'antiguo' (masculine) or 'antigua' (feminine).
La iglesia está ___.
How do you say 'silent' in Spanish when describing a place?
silenciosa
The feminine form 'silenciosa' is used to describe a silent (quiet) church.
Cultural and Religious Practices
These terms describe common activities and rituals that take place in worship places. They are essential for understanding and discussing religious customs.
| Spanish | English | Example (Spanish) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| rezar | to pray | Vamos a rezar juntos. | Let’s pray together. |
| misa | mass | La misa empieza a las diez. | Mass starts at ten. |
| bendecir | to bless | El sacerdote va a bendecir. | The priest is going to bless. |
| confesar | to confess | Voy a confesar mis pecados. | I’m going to confess my sins. |
| adorar | to worship | Adoramos en silencio. | We worship in silence. |
| cantar | to sing | Cantan himnos religiosos. | They sing religious hymns. |
| iluminar | to light | Encendemos velas para iluminar. | We light candles to illuminate. |
| peregrinar | to pilgrimage | Peregrinamos al santuario. | We make a pilgrimage to the sanctuary. |
| consagrar | to consecrate | Consagraron la nueva iglesia. | They consecrated the new church. |
| meditar | to meditate | Medito en la capilla. | I meditate in the chapel. |
This vocabulary will help you understand and participate in conversations about worship places in Spanish-speaking cultures. From naming the buildings to describing the rituals, you’ll be able to express yourself with confidence and respect.
Flashcards (1 of 20)
- English: sacred
- Example (English): It is a sacred place.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
