piedad
pity
noun pyeh-DAHD Rare
Origin: From Latin pietas (duty, devotion, piety).
Also means
piety
Usage Note
Piedad covers two distinct senses: 'pity' or 'mercy' (ten piedad de nosotros = 'have mercy on us') and 'piety' or 'religious devotion' (la piedad de los fieles). In art history La Piedad refers to the Pietà — the image of the Virgin Mary holding Christ's body. Context determines which sense is intended; the 'pity/mercy' meaning is more common in everyday usage.
Examples
"Le pidió piedad al juez antes de la sentencia."
Natural Translation
He asked the judge for mercy before the sentence.
Related Words
Explore Spanish by topic