alma
/ˈalma/feminine
The English word "soul" is translated into Spanish as alma.
The most commonly used word for "soul" in Spanish is alma, referring to the spirit or essence of a person believed to live on after death. You can also use the phrase no hay ni un alma to emphasize that a place is completely empty of people.
Meaning: the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Even though alma is a feminine noun, it uses the masculine articles el and un in the singular form (e.g., el alma, un alma) to avoid a hiatus between the stressed a sounds. However, when using the plural form almas, you should use the feminine article las because the phonetic issue only occurs in the singular.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈalma/
Did you know?
- Spanish has a second word for soul, ánima, which specifically refers to the soul of a deceased person in a religious or ghostly context.
- The word 'animal' and 'alma' are distant cousins, both originating from the concept of a living, breathing being.
- In Spanish, the phrase darle el alma can be used to describe someone putting an immense amount of effort or passion into a task.
Examples in context
- No había un alma.There wasn't a soul.This sentence is useful for showing how to say there wasn't a soul using alma.Tatoeba #1689518 by termito2nd, translation #4474832 by Juba
- No venderé mi alma.I won't sell my soul.This sentence is useful for saying I won't sell my soul using alma.Tatoeba #1773688 by marcelostockle, translation #1230144 by CM
- No había ni un alma.There was not a bloody soul.This sentence is useful for the emphatic expression regarding the absence of people using alma.Tatoeba #1925617 by marcelostockle, translation #2373 by Zifre
- El alma es eterna y trascendental.The soul is eternal and transcendent.
- El espíritu humano busca la trascendencia del alma.The human spirit seeks the transcendence of the soul.
- Eres una persona de buen corazón.You are a person with a good soul.
- El ser interior de esta persona es puro amor.The inner soul of this person is pure love.
- En el flamenco, el cante viene del sentío.In flamenco, singing comes from the soul.
- 112 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are discussing a philosophical concept in a park.
- ElenaCreo que el alma es eterna.I believe the soul is eternal.
- Alejandro¿Tú crees eso, Elena?Do you believe that, Elena?
- ElenaSí, es algo muy profundo.Yes, it is something very profound.
- AlejandroEs un tema interesante para pensar.It is an interesting topic to think about.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “soul” translations and entries alma, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alma, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
