Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Mercy in Spanish: Misericordia
Misericordia · noun · mee-seh-ree-KOR-dee-ah
The word 'mercy' translates to 'misericordia' in religious and compassionate contexts, 'piedad' for general pity or mercy, and 'clemencia' in legal or judicial settings where leniency is being requested.
mee-seh-ree-KOR-dee-ah
El prisionero pidió misericordia ante el tribunal.
The prisoner asked for mercy before the court.
Mercy in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for mercy, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| misericordia | mercy | mee-seh-ree-KOR-dee-ah | Default, widely understood |
| piedad | mercy | general compassion | |
| clemencia | mercy | legal/judicial context |
How Native Speakers Use Misericordia
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Religious context
Señor, ten misericordia de nosotros y perdona nuestros pecados.
Lord, have mercy on us and forgive our sins.
'Misericordia' appears frequently in Catholic prayers throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
Judicial plea
El abogado solicitó clemencia para su cliente debido a su edad avanzada.
The lawyer requested mercy for his client due to his advanced age.
'Clemencia' is the preferred term in courtroom and legal discourse.
General compassion
Mostró piedad hacia los animales abandonados y los recogió de la calle.
She showed mercy toward the abandoned animals and picked them up from the street.
'Piedad' works for everyday acts of compassion and mercy.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Misericordia
Using 'merced' incorrectly
Incorrect: Ten merced de los pobres.
Correct: Ten piedad de los pobres.
While 'merced' exists in Spanish (meaning 'grace' or used in the archaic address 'vuestra merced'), it does not function as a modern translation of 'mercy' in pleas for compassion.
Mixing formal registers
Incorrect: El juez dio misericordia al acusado.
Correct: El juez concedió clemencia al acusado.
Legal contexts require 'clemencia' because 'misericordia' carries religious overtones that sound out of place in secular courtroom language.
Lock in Mercy 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 Misericordia used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using misericordia in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El prisionero pidió misericordia ante el tribunal. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Mercy in Spanish
- Which word should I use: misericordia, piedad, or clemencia?
- Choose based on context: 'misericordia' fits religious and deeply spiritual discussions, 'clemencia' belongs in legal and official settings, and 'piedad' works as a versatile middle ground for everyday compassion. Each carries distinct connotations that native speakers immediately recognize.
- Is 'piedad' related to 'piety'?
- Both 'piedad' and 'piety' share the Latin root 'pietas,' which originally encompassed duty, devotion, and compassion. In modern Spanish, 'piedad' retains the dual meaning of religious devotion and merciful compassion, while English split these into separate words.
- How do I say 'have mercy' as a command?
- The imperative form depends on formality: say 'ten piedad' (tú) or 'tenga piedad' (usted) for a direct plea. In religious prayers, 'ten misericordia' is the fixed liturgical phrase that Spanish-speaking Catholics learn from childhood.