bendecir
/bendeˈθiɾ/
The Spanish verb for "bless" is bendecir.
The verb bendecir means to confer blessing on (verb).
Meaning: confer blessing on (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb bendecir is irregular in the preterite, where the stem changes from bendec- to bendij-, such as in the form bendije (I blessed). The past participle of bendecir is bendecido. Additionally, the form bendiga is used for the subjunctive mood or when giving a command/wish, such as in Que Dios te bendiga (May God bless you).
How do you pronounce it?
/bendeˈθiɾ/
Did you know?
- The word bendecir literally means 'to speak well' of someone, as it is formed from bien meaning 'well' and decir meaning 'to say'.
- Unlike English where 'bless you' is the standard response to a sneeze, Spanish speakers typically say salud, which means 'health'.
- In some Latin American regions, asking for a bendición from parents or grandparents is a mandatory sign of respect before leaving the house.
Examples in context
- Dios te bendecirá por hacer eso.God will bless you for doing that.This sentence shows how to use the verb bendecir to express that God will bless someone.Tatoeba #12956614 by ecorralest101, translation #12075063 by Amastan
- Dale este dinero a Dios y Él te bendecirá.Give this money to God and He will bless you.This sentence uses the verb bendecir to describe the result of giving money to God.Tatoeba #12956626 by ecorralest101, translation #8778533 by Amastan
- Que Dios te bendigaMay God bless you
- El padre dio la bendición a los fielesThe priest gave the blessing to the faithful
- Gracias por tus bendicionesThank you for your blessings
- El sacerdote va a bendecir el agua.The priest is going to bless the water.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are at a religious ceremony.
- DanielSofía, ¿vas a bendecir este pan?Sofía, are you going to bless this bread?
- SofíaNo, Daniel, solo el sacerdote puede bendecir.No, Daniel, only the priest can bless.
- DanielEntiendo, es un momento muy sagrado.I understand, it is a very sacred moment.
- SofíaSí, debemos ser respetuosos.Yes, we must be respectful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bless” translations and entries bendecir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bendecir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
