Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Sentence in Spanish: Oración
Oración · noun · oh-rah-SYOHN
In grammar, a sentence is called an oración in Spanish — the same word that also means 'prayer' in religious contexts. Frase is a popular synonym in everyday speech, though technically it can mean a phrase or clause as well. For legal sentences (judicial rulings), the correct term is sentencia, which is a false friend for English speakers.
Three syllables with stress on the last: oh-rah-SYOHN. The 'ci' combination produces a 'see' sound in Latin America or a 'thee' sound in Spain.
Escribe una oración completa usando el verbo 'tener'.
Write a complete sentence using the verb 'tener.'
sentence in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for sentence, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| oración | sentence | oh-rah-SYOHN | Default, widely understood |
| frase | sentence | common synonym, can also mean phrase | |
| sentencia | sentence | legal context: a court sentence or ruling |
How Native Speakers Use Oración
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
grammar class
Cada oración necesita un sujeto y un predicado para estar completa.
Every sentence needs a subject and predicate to be complete.
Oración is the standard grammar term in academic Spanish.
everyday usage
No entendí la última frase que dijiste, ¿puedes repetirla?
I didn't understand the last sentence you said, can you repeat it?
Frase is common in casual speech for sentence.
legal context
El juez dictó una sentencia de diez años de prisión.
The judge handed down a sentence of ten years in prison.
Sentencia is exclusively for legal rulings.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Oración
sentencia for grammar
Incorrect: Escribe cinco sentencias en español.
Correct: Escribe cinco oraciones en español.
Sentencia refers to a judicial ruling or punishment — using it in a grammar exercise implies writing court verdicts rather than grammatical sentences.
oración meaning confusion
Incorrect: Los niños dicen una oración antes de comer. — Oh, a grammar sentence?
Correct: Los niños dicen una oración antes de comer. — They're saying a prayer.
Oración means both 'sentence' and 'prayer' in Spanish — when used with decir (to say) in a religious or family context, it almost always means prayer.
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See Oración used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using oración in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Escribe una oración completa usando el verbo 'tener'. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About sentence in Spanish
- Why does oración mean both sentence and prayer?
- The Latin root oratio meant 'speech' or 'discourse,' which branched into both grammatical speech (a sentence) and religious speech (a prayer). Spanish preserved both meanings in one word, letting context distinguish between them.
- Is frase or oración more common in everyday Spanish?
- In casual conversation, frase is more frequently used because it feels less technical. Oración is the preferred term in formal grammar instruction, textbooks, and academic discussions about language structure.
- How do I say 'run-on sentence' in Spanish?
- A run-on sentence is called an oración seguida sin puntuación adecuada or more commonly a oración corrida. Grammar teachers may also describe it as una oración sin la puntuación correcta (a sentence without correct punctuation).