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eterno means eternal — a common term in Beautiful Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: December 25, 2025

✨ Beautiful Spanish

eterno

adjective • /[e-TER-no]/

eternal

Example:

Un amor eterno y sin medida.

An eternal love, without measure.

🧠 What does eterno mean?

The adjective 'eterno' translates to 'eternal' or 'everlasting'. It describes something that has no beginning and no end, existing outside of time. It is commonly used in religious, philosophical, or romantic contexts to speak of concepts like eternal life, love, or truth. In everyday conversation, 'eterno' is also frequently used hyperbolically to describe something that lasts for a very long, often tedious, amount of time, such as a long wait or a boring meeting.

📚 Extra examples

  • Los antiguos griegos creían en la existencia de verdades eternas.
    The ancient Greeks believed in the existence of eternal truths.
  • Le juró amor eterno frente al altar.
    He swore his eternal love to her in front of the altar.
  • La espera en la consulta del médico se me hizo eterna.
    The wait at the doctor's office felt eternal to me.

💡 Did You Know?

The related noun 'la eternidad' (eternity) is often used in philosophical discussions, while 'eterno' itself frequently appears in poetry and song lyrics to convey deep, lasting emotions.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "eterno"

Synonyms: perpetuo, infinito, inmortal, imperecedero
Opposites: efímero, temporal, pasajero, finito

🔍 See more beautiful spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'eternal' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'eternal' is 'eterno'.
How do you pronounce 'eterno' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is 'eh-TEHR-noh'. The stress falls on the second syllable, '-ter-'.
How do you use 'eterno' in a sentence?
An example is: 'Algunos filósofos creen en el eterno retorno de todas las cosas.' (Some philosophers believe in the eternal return of all things.)
What is the English translation of 'eterno'?
'Eterno' translates to 'eternal' or 'everlasting'.
Does 'eterno' change for gender or number?
Yes, 'eterno' is a standard adjective. It changes to 'eterna' for feminine nouns (e.g., 'la vida eterna'), 'eternos' for masculine plural nouns (e.g., 'amores eternos'), and 'eternas' for feminine plural nouns (e.g., 'noches eternas').
Is 'eterno' common in everyday Spanish?
It is common, especially in its hyperbolic sense to describe something that feels very long, like 'una reunión eterna' (an eternal meeting). In its literal sense, it's more frequent in formal, literary, or religious contexts.
Does 'eterno' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'eterno' does not have common slang meanings. Its primary meanings are literal (everlasting) and hyperbolic (seeming to last forever).
Is 'eterno' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The use of 'eterno' is consistent across Spain and Latin America, with no significant regional differences.

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