destino
/desˈtino/masculine
The Spanish word for 'destiny' is destino.
destino refers to a predetermined condition, fate or a fixed order of things. It is also polysemous, meaning it can also mean 'destination' in the sense of a place one is traveling to.
Meaning: predetermined condition, fate, fixed order of things (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
As a masculine noun, destino is preceded by the masculine definite article el to form el destino.
How do you pronounce it?
/desˈtino/
Did you know?
- The verb destinar is frequently used in administrative or formal contexts to mean 'to allocate' or 'to earmark' funds, which is a far cry from the concept of fate.
- Because of its double meaning, the phrase mi destino es Madrid can be an intentional pun meaning both 'my fate is Madrid' and 'my stop is Madrid'.
- The word destino shares an ancestor with the English word 'destiny', as both derive from the Latin 'destinare', meaning 'to make firm' or 'to establish'.
Examples in context
- Tal vez es el destino.Maybe it is destiny.This sentence shows how to express that something might be fate using destino.Tatoeba #1345144 by marcelostockle, translation #1345132 by CM
- Tenemos el mismo destino.We have the same destiny.This sentence uses destino to describe a shared fate.Tatoeba #5052115 by don_ramon, translation #5051481 by CK
- Alí no cree en el destino.Ali doesn't believe in destiny.This sentence shows how to express a lack of belief in fate using destino.Tatoeba #10053861 by Shishir, translation #11324041 by Luornu
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are sitting in a park discussing their lives.
- Sofía¿Crees en el destino, Javier?Do you believe in destiny, Javier?
- JavierNo estoy seguro de si el destino existe.I am not sure if destiny exists.
- SofíaSiento que este encuentro fue parte de mi destino.I feel that this encounter was part of my destiny.
- JavierEs una idea muy romántica, Sofía.That is a very romantic idea, Sofía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “destiny” translations and entries destino, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries destino, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
