adorar
/adoˈɾaɾ/
To worship in Spanish is to adorar.
The verb adorar means to honor and adore, especially as a deity. However, it is also commonly used in a secular sense to mean 'to adore' or 'to love dearly' (e.g., adoro a mi madre).
Meaning: honor and adore, especially as a deity (verb)
Which one should you use?
While adorar is the action of worshipping, the noun culto refers to the act of worship or a religious service. The noun adoración is the direct noun form for the state of worship or the act of adoration.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the verb adorar in the present tense, the forms change based on the subject: Yo adoro (I worship), Tú adoras (You worship), Él/Ella adora (He/She worships) and Nosotros/Nosotras adoramos (We worship).
How do you pronounce it?
/adoˈɾaɾ/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word culto can describe a religious service, but it is also the word for 'educated' or 'cultured'. A person who is culto is someone with a high level of knowledge and refinement.
- In a religious context, one might say they are participating in a culto, but avoid using the English word 'cult' to describe the same thing, as culto simply means a religious service or act of worship.
- The Latin root of adorar comes from ōrō, meaning 'to speak' or 'to pray'. This implies that the original act of worship was specifically an act of oral pleading or speaking to a deity.
Examples in context
- La adoración a Dios es una parte fundamental de mi fe.Worshiping God is a fundamental part of my faith.
- Adoro la sensación de paz que encuentro al visitar la capilla.I adore the feeling of peace I find when visiting the chapel.
- El próximo culto de la iglesia será el sábado.The next worship service will be on Saturday.
- La veneración a la Virgen María es muy importante en la cultura española.Worshiping the Virgin Mary is very important in Spanish culture.
- Adoran a Dios.They worship God.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are visiting an ancient temple.
- DanielMira este altar, aquí solían adorar al sol.Look at this altar, they used to worship the sun here.
- LucíaEs fascinante cómo lo hacían hace siglos.It is fascinating how they did it centuries ago.
- Daniel¿Crees que todavía hay quien quiera adorarlo?Do you think there is still anyone who wants to worship it?
- LucíaQuizás algunas personas mantienen esa tradición, Daniel.Perhaps some people maintain that tradition, Daniel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry adorar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries adorar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
