santos
/santos/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase santos refers to people recognized as having an exceptional degree of holiness.
The word is used to describe individuals regarded as saints. When used as a name, it is common to see formal addresses like Estimado señor Santos in letters or emails, while an affectionate nickname for someone named Santos is Santi.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes based on gender and number: santo refers to a single male saint, while santa refers to a single female saint. To refer to a group of female saints, use the feminine plural santas. The superlative form santísimos is used to express the highest degree of holiness, typically within a religious context.
How do you pronounce it?
/santos/
Did you know?
- The word santo is used in the expression santo y seña, which means a password or a watchword used by soldiers or scouts to identify one another.
- The word santo is used in the phrase hacerse el santo, which means to pretend to be innocent or virtuous when one is actually guilty.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, santos are not just religious figures but are often integrated into daily life through the custom of 'santoral', where people celebrate their specific saint's day as a second birthday.
Examples in context
- Buenos días, señor Santos. ¿En qué puedo ayudarle?Good morning, Mr. Santos. How may I assist you?
- Hola, Santos. ¿Vienes a la fiesta esta noche?Hi, Santos. Are you coming to the party tonight?
- Muchos santos vivieron en este país.Many saints lived in this country.
- Estudiamos la vida de los santos.We are studying the lives of the saints.
- Esos santos son muy respetados.Those saints are very respected.
Example conversation
Two friends are walking past an old church.
- María¿Viste las estatuas de los santos?Did you see the statues of the saints?
- DanielSí, María, son muy hermosas.Yes, María, they are very beautiful.
- MaríaDaniel, ¿conoces la historia de estos santos?Daniel, do you know the story of these saints?
- DanielNo, pero me gustaría saber.No, but I would like to know.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
