Spanish Conversation · Level 118
59 words
Spanish word
patroncito
Pronunciation
IPA/patɾonˈθito/
Meaning
- masculine nounpatron saint
Example
En la fiesta, la gente rezó al patroncito del pueblo.
At the festival, the people prayed to the village's patron saint.
More examples
La procesión llevaba la imagen del patroncito por las calles.
The procession carried the image of the patron saint through the streets.
Core concept
Small processional figure of the town's patron saint.
Common phrases
fiesta del patroncito
feast of the patron saint
imagen del patroncito
image of the patron saint
oración al patroncito
prayer to the patron saint
Similar words
patrón: Person honored as the community's patron saint and regarded as its protector.
patrono: Person celebrated and officially invoked as the patron saint of a church or locality.
santo patrón: Holy figure revered as the patron and spiritual guardian of a place.
Definition in Spanish
Forma diminutiva y cariñosa de «patrón» que se emplea para nombrar al santo protector de un pueblo o barrio, especialmente en celebraciones populares.
Word origin
Formed by adding the diminutive suffix -cito to patrón, with patrón originating in Latin patronus 'protector' and used in Spanish for the saint who protects a town or neighborhood.
Usage tips
- Because patrón also means employer or boss in everyday Spanish, patroncito normally implies a religious or festive saint and surrounding words like fiesta or procesión clarify the meaning.