Spanish Conversation · Level 3
87 words
Spanish word
santuario
Pronunciation
IPA/sanˈtwaɾjo/
Meaning
- masculine nounsanctuary
Example
Visitamos el santuario cada año.
We visit the sanctuary every year.
More examples
El santuario de animales acoge a animales heridos.
The animal sanctuary shelters injured animals.
Core concept
A protected refuge with a religious or emotional tone.
Common phrases
santuario de animales
animal sanctuary
santuario natural
nature reserve
Similar words
refugio: Practical shelter providing physical safety for people escaping danger or hardship.
templo: Religious building where communal worship and ceremonial rites take place.
Definition in Spanish
Lugar o espacio considerado refugio o protegido, tanto en sentido religioso como en uso figurado.
Word origin
Derived from Latin sanctuarium 'holy place', built from sanctus 'holy', with the sense widening from a sacred site to any sheltered or protected space.
Usage tips
- For nonreligious refuges Spanish often uses refugio, asilo, or reserva, while santuario usually keeps a sacred or special connotation.