Spanish Expressions with the word ‘God’. Although everyday expressions with religious connotations also exist in English, I don’t hear them half as much as I do here in Colombia. And if they do exist in English, they probably have a non-religious equivalent (Jesus!=Jeesh!). The language of a country is not only the way people communicate, but it gives you a cultural insight into how they think and live. This is why some words exist in one language and not in another.
I couldn’t help but notice how curious it was to hear of ‘God’ when someone first saw me ‘Que milagro de Dios!’ or when they told me a personal story ‘si Dios lo quiere’ and when they waved me off ‘Que dios te bendiga’. All these expressions are a common reminder that Colombia remains largely Catholic and conservative.
To decipher some day to day holy phrases of Hewhomustbenamed I created a chart in light to help you maneuver around a typical Colombian conversation. This is just to have a bit of light-hearted fun. I’m sure some have more than one translation and ways to use it.
Spanish Expressions with the word ‘God’
| In Spanish | Literally | What it really means | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gracias a Dios | Thanks to God | Thank God/Goodness | Show relief or gratitude |
| Por Dios | For God | For God’s/Goodness sake | PG-rated swearing or to beg |
| Dios mío | My God | OMG!/My Goodness | To show surprise or horror |
| Si Dios lo quiere | If God wants it | If I’m lucky | When something you want to happen is out of your control |
| Que Dios te bendiga | God bless you | Be well, stay safe | To say goodbye |
| Ay Dios! | Oh God! | Jesus! | When excited, frightened, grossed out, etc. |
| Que milagro de Dios! | What a miracle from God | (Can have various interpretations): It’s good to see you | To show surprise or delight |
| Ni Dios… | Not even God… | Not a soul…, no one… | To emphasize ‘no one’ |
| Adios | To God | Farewell | To say goodbye |
| Vaya con Dios | Go with God | See ya’ later alligator | To say goodbye |
| Juro por Dios | I swear to God | I swear to God | I swear to God |
Did I leave one out? Please leave a comment and let me know which ones I missed and how to use them!
Liked my article? You can say thanks by sharing/following me!
[DISPLAY_ULTIMATE_PLUS]
1 comment
Dios le page: God will reward you: said when you tip a workman or give money to a beggar.