Spanish word

cuaresma

Pronunciation

IPA/kwaˈɾesma/

Meaning

  • feminine nounLent

Example

Durante la cuaresma voy a misa los domingos.

During Lent I go to Mass on Sundays.

Illustration for cuaresma (Lent)

More examples

Durante la cuaresma mucha gente practica la abstinencia.

During Lent many people practice abstinence.

Core concept

Religious period of about forty days devoted to prayer and penance ahead of Easter.

Common phrases

  • durante la cuaresma

    during Lent

  • empezar la cuaresma

    start Lent

  • terminar la cuaresma

    end Lent

Similar words

ayuno: Religious practice of abstaining from or sharply reducing food for spiritual discipline.
Pascua: Religious holiday celebrating Jesus' resurrection at Easter.
Semana Santa: Seven days of ceremonies and public processions in the week immediately before Easter.

Definition in Spanish

Periodo de aproximadamente 40 días antes de la Pascua dedicado a la preparación espiritual mediante la oración, la penitencia y, tradicionalmente, el ayuno en la tradición cristiana.

Word origin

Borrowed from Late Latin quadrāgēsima meaning 'fortieth', which passed into Old Spanish quaresma and then modern cuaresma.

Usage tips

  • When describing observance, Spanish commonly uses verbs like guardar la cuaresma, estar en cuaresma, or observar la cuaresma rather than verbs meaning 'do' or 'have'.

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