ruega por nosotros
/rweɡa poɾ nosotɾos/from spelling rules
To say "pray for us" in Spanish, the default form is ruega por nosotros.
The phrase ruega por nosotros is most commonly used in a religious context, such as in Catholic litanies or prayers directed toward the Virgin Mary or saints. It functions as a request for someone to ask God to help or protect a group of people.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative verb ruega (pray/beseech), the preposition por (for) and the first-person plural pronoun nosotros (us).
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing a saint or a divine figure with formal respect, you would use the third-person singular imperative ruegue instead of ruega.
How do you pronounce it?
/rweɡa poɾ nosotɾos/
Did you know?
- The word nosotros is a linguistic relative of the French nous autres and the Italian noialtri, all of which combine the word for 'us' with the word for 'others'.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, this request is visually represented on ex-votos, which are small plaques left at shrines to thank a saint for a miracle.
- Outside of a church, the verb rogar in ruega is used to 'beg' or 'plead', such as when someone is desperately asking for a legal pardon or a personal favor.
Examples in context
- María, te pido que ores por nosotros en estos tiempos difíciles.Maria, I ask that you pray for us in these challenging times.
- Chicos, les solicito que recen por nosotros durante este tiempo de incertidumbre.Guys, I request that you pray for us during this time of uncertainty.
- Santa María, ruega por nosotros.Holy Mary, pray for us.
- Madre, ruega por nosotros y nuestra familia.Mother, pray for us and our family.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are praying in a small chapel.
- MaríaPadre, ruega por nosotros.Father, pray for us.
- AlejandroAmén, Dios los escuche.Amen, may God hear you.
- MaríaGracias, Alejandro, por rezar conmigo.Thank you, Alejandro, for praying with me.
- AlejandroDe nada, María, siempre es bueno orar.You're welcome, María, it is always good to pray.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nosotros, por, CC BY-SA 4.0.
