bendito sea tu nombre
/bendito sea tu nombɾe/from spelling rules
The English phrase "bless your name" is translated into Spanish as bendito sea tu nombre.
What does it mean word for word?
This is a literal construction where bendito means 'blessed', sea is the subjunctive form of 'to be' and tu nombre means 'your name'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase bendito sea tu nombre has a formal, liturgical or religious register and is not used in casual everyday conversation. If you need a formal way to say "bless your name", you can use Bendiga su nombre.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb sea is in the present subjunctive mood, which is used here to express a wish or a prayer.
How do you pronounce it?
/bendito sea tu nombɾe/
Did you know?
- While bendito sea tu nombre is liturgical, the word bendito is sometimes used ironically in Caribbean Spanish to express pity or a 'poor soul'.
- The word nombre has a surprising double identity in Spanish. While it usually means 'name', it is also the core of the common exclamation ¡No, hombre!, which actually means 'No, man!' rather than 'No, name!'
- While bendito sea tu nombre is used for God, in some regional dialects, calling a person bendito can be a way of saying they are 'innocent' or 'simple-minded' in a kind way.
Examples in context
- Alabamos la gloria y bendito sea tu nombre.We praise the glory and bless your name.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are praying together in a church.
- AlejandroHoy agradezco todo lo que nos diste.Today I thank you for everything you gave us.
- SofíaSí, bendito sea tu nombre por siempre.Yes, bless your name forever.
- AlejandroAmén, que así sea.Amen, let it be so.
- SofíaTengo mucha paz ahora, Alejandro.I have much peace now, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bendito, nombre, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
