The word "santo" in Spanish means "saint" when used as a noun. It refers to a person recognized for their holiness and virtue, often canonized within various Christian traditions. As an adjective, it means "holy" or "sacred", describing something that is revered or considered divine.
In terms of frequency, "santo" is commonly used in both oral and written contexts, especially in religious settings, celebrations, and discussions about spirituality. It appears often in both formal and informal speech, with specific relevance in conversations about religion.
"The Holy Father spoke about peace in the world."
"Hoy celebramos la festividad de un santo muy querido."
"Today we celebrate the feast day of a very beloved saint."
"El lugar es considerado un santo lugar de peregrinación."
"Santo" is part of various idiomatic expressions in Spanish, emphasizing its cultural relevance. Below are a few:
Example: "A santo de qué llegaste tan tarde?"
"Santo y seña": Literally translates to "holy and sign". It refers to a password or a secret signal.
Example: "Tienes que dar el santo y seña para entrar en la reunión."
"Santo remedio": This means "holy remedy", used colloquially to refer to an effective solution to a problem.
Example: "El ejercicio es un santo remedio para el estrés."
"En casa de un santo, no hay que hablar de santos": This idiom translates to "In a saint's house, do not talk about saints." It means to avoid discussing sensitive or controversial topics in certain contexts.
The word "santo" comes from the Latin sanctus, which also means "holy" or "sacred". This Latin root is derived from the verb sancire, which means "to make sacred". The word has evolved through various languages and has significance in both religious and secular contexts.
Santo (adjective: "holy") - Sagrado (sacred), Divino (divine)
Antonyms:
This comprehensive breakdown illustrates the multifaceted nature of the word "santo" in Spanish, emphasizing its usage across different contexts and meanings.