Spanish word

capilla

Pronunciation

IPA/kaˈpiʝa/

Meaning

  • feminine nounchapel

Example

Vamos a la capilla para rezar.

We are going to the chapel to pray.

Illustration for capilla (chapel)

More examples

La boda será en la capilla del pueblo.

The wedding will be in the town chapel.

Core concept

Small dedicated room or separate small building for prayer and minor ceremonies.

Common phrases

  • ir a la capilla

    go to the chapel

  • la capilla del pueblo

    the town chapel

  • boda en la capilla

    chapel wedding

Similar words

iglesia: Parish church building where a local congregation gathers for services and community worship.
templo: Temple or shrine building devoted to formal religious rituals and long-standing ceremonial practice.

Definition in Spanish

Edificio pequeño o parte de un edificio destinada al culto, generalmente de menor tamaño que una iglesia y usada para oraciones y ceremonias.

Word origin

Spanish capilla comes from Late Latin cappella 'little cloak' (from cappa 'cloak'), a term that shifted to mean a modest chapel and entered Spanish as capilla.

Usage tips

  • Feminine in Spanish (la capilla, plural capillas), and it appears in proper names (Capilla Sixtina) and set phrases (capilla ardiente), so context shows whether it is a generic space or a title.

Other meanings

  • prayer roomnoun

Word lists with this word