Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| lujuria | /luˈxuɾja/ | feminine |
| libídine | /liˈbidine/ | feminine |
The primary word for lust is lujuria, which refers to strong desire, especially of a sexual nature. In religious or moral contexts, lujuria is the specific term used to identify lust as one of the seven deadly sins. If you wish to express the action of craving sexual contact, you can use the verb lujuriar. For general strong desire, you might use the verbs codiciar, desear or ambicionar.
Which one should you use?
While lujuria is the standard term, libídine is a more formal, clinical or literary way to describe sexual drive or libido. If you want to describe a sense of lust combined with fascination or intrigue, you can use the informal term morbo. For a slang term specifically describing a state of intense sexual arousal or 'horniness', use calentura.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the word pasión is commonly used to convey strong desires, including lust.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both lujuria and libídine are feminine nouns. To use the related adjective, use lujurioso for masculine nouns and lujuriosa for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/luˈxuɾja/
When do people say it?
Lujuria is frequently used when discussing the seven deadly sins in religious or moral discussions.
Did you know?
- The word lujuria shares its roots with the English word 'luxury'. It originally described an excess of something, such as rankness or extravagance, before it became specifically linked to sexual desire.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, using the word morbo can describe a 'dark' or 'taboo' kind of fascination. It implies an attraction to things that are slightly disturbing, perverse, or socially forbidden.
- If you want to describe someone as being 'horny' in a very informal, slangy way, you might say they have calentura. While this literally translates to 'heat' or 'fever', it is commonly used to describe sexual arousal.
Examples in context
- El amor es solo una forma lírica de referirse a la lujuria.Love is merely a lyrical way of referring to lust.This sentence shows how to use lujuria when discussing lyrical expressions of love.Tatoeba #1896380 by marcelostockle, translation #390050 by Scott
- Los siete pecados capitales son: soberbia, envidia, codicia, ira, lujuria, gula y pereza.The seven deadly sins are: pride, envy, greed, anger, lust, gluttony and sloth.This sentence lists lujuria as one of the seven deadly sins.Tatoeba #5626283 by albrusgher, translation #4052466 by mervert1
- La lujuria es uno de los siete pecados capitales.Lust is one of the seven deadly sins.This sentence provides a simple statement about lujuria being a deadly sin.Tatoeba #2699120 by ramonj, translation #2669418 by nancy
- Tengo un intenso deseoI have an intense desire
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple discusses a character in a movie.
- MaríaEsa película trata solo sobre la lujuria.That movie is only about lust.
- JavierSí, el personaje vive guiado por la lujuria.Yes, the character is guided by lust.
- MaríaEs una historia muy intensa y oscura.It is a very intense and dark story.
- JavierTienes razón, María, es bastante fuerte.You are right, María, it is quite strong.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lust” translations and entries lujuria, libídine, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries libídine, lujuria, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
