siete pecados capitales
/ˌsjete peˌkados kapiˈtales/masculine, plural
The English phrase 'seven deadly sins' is translated into Spanish as siete pecados capitales.
This phrase refers to the seven cardinal sins. While English uses the word 'deadly', the Spanish equivalent uses 'capital'.
Meaning: the seven cardinal sins (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to 'seven capital sins'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the phrase is el pecado capital, which uses the masculine singular noun pecado and the adjective capital. When referring to the entire set of sins, use the definite masculine plural article los to form los siete pecados capitales.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌsjete peˌkados kapiˈtales/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word pecado is used both for the religious concept of 'sin' and colloquially to describe something irresistibly delicious. For example, a piece of chocolate cake might be called un pecado.
- Spanish speakers often use the phrase pecar de followed by a quality to mean someone has too much of a good thing. To say pecar de modesto means to be too modest, turning a 'sin' into a personality trait.
- The word capitales in this phrase does not mean 'most important' or 'city-like' but comes from the Latin 'caput' meaning 'head'. It refers to these sins as 'head sins' because they are the sources from which all other sins spring.
Examples in context
- La gula es uno de los siete pecados capitales.Gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins.This sentence shows how to identify one specific sin using siete pecados capitales.Tatoeba #5626183 by albrusgher, translation #2669419 by nancy
- La envidia es uno de los siete pecados capitales.Envy is one of the seven deadly sins.This sentence shows how to identify another specific sin using siete pecados capitales.Tatoeba #1551097 by marcelostockle, translation #886207 by CK
- 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 the various sins that make up the siete pecados capitales.Tatoeba #5626283 by albrusgher, translation #4052466 by mervert1
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are discussing a movie they just watched.
- DanielLa película trata sobre los siete pecados capitales.The movie is about the seven deadly sins.
- ElenaEs un tema muy interesante, ¿verdad?It's a very interesting topic, right?
- DanielSí, analizan los siete pecados capitales uno por uno.Yes, they analyze the seven deadly sins one by one.
- ElenaMe gusta cómo lo presentaron en la historia.I like how they presented it in the story.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “seven deadly sins” translations and entries siete pecados capitales, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
