Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Godson in Spanish: Ahijado
Ahijado · noun · ah-ee-HAH-doh
Ahijado is the Spanish word for godson, referring to a male child for whom someone serves as godparent. In many Latin American families, the bond between padrino (godfather) and ahijado is treated with almost the same importance as a parent-child relationship, carrying responsibilities that extend well beyond religious ceremonies.
Say ah-ee-HAH-doh, stressing the third syllable. The initial a is open, the h is silent, and the j sounds like an English h.
Mi ahijado quiere ser futbolista cuando sea grande.
My godson wants to be a soccer player when he grows up.
How Native Speakers Use Ahijado
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Talking about your godson
Mi ahijado sacó las mejores notas de su clase.
My godson got the best grades in his class.
Godparents often speak proudly of their ahijado's accomplishments.
Godparent responsibilities
Como padrino, llevo a mi ahijado al parque todos los sábados.
As a godfather, I take my godson to the park every Saturday.
Active involvement in the ahijado's life is expected in Latin American godparent culture.
Baptism context
Bautizaron a nuestro ahijado en la iglesia del pueblo.
They baptized our godson at the town church.
Baptism is the ceremony that formally establishes the padrino-ahijado relationship.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Ahijado
Saying hijo de Dios for godson
Incorrect: Él es mi hijo de Dios.
Correct: Él es mi ahijado.
Hijo de Dios translates to son of God, a religious title with a completely different meaning. Ahijado is the proper single-word term for godson.
Dropping the a- prefix
Incorrect: Mi hijado tiene ocho años.
Correct: Mi ahijado tiene ocho años.
Hijado is not a real Spanish word. The prefix a- is essential to form ahijado, which distinguishes it from hijo (son).
Lock in Godson Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Ahijado used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using ahijado in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Mi ahijado quiere ser futbolista cuando sea grande. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Godson in Spanish
- How do you say godson in Spanish?
- Godson in Spanish is ahijado. The feminine form for goddaughter is ahijada. Both derive from hijo/hija (son/daughter) with the distinguishing a- prefix that marks the godparent relationship.
- What is the role of a padrino with his ahijado?
- Traditionally, the padrino serves as a spiritual guide, mentor, and secondary father figure. In practice across Latin America, padrinos are expected to attend milestone events, give gifts on special occasions, and sometimes contribute financially to their ahijado's education or upbringing.
- Can someone have more than one ahijado?
- Having multiple ahijados is very common, especially in Latin American countries where extended family and community bonds are strong. Some people serve as godparents at multiple baptisms, first communions, and even weddings, accumulating several ahijados over a lifetime.