The Apostles’ Creed in Spanish is El Credo, which begins “Creo en Dios Padre todopoderoso, Creador del cielo y de la tierra”: “I believe in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.” Spanish-speaking Catholics pray it at the beginning of the Rosary and learn it for First Communion, and it may be used at Mass in place of the longer Nicene Creed. Below is the full traditional Spanish text from the classic catechism of Gaspar Astete, the few differences in today’s wording, a translation of the key phrases, pronunciation tips, the English text, and the Nicene Creed in Spanish.
El Credo in Spanish
The traditional text, as given in Gaspar Astete’s Catecismo de la Doctrina Cristiana (1599):
Creo en Dios Padre todopoderoso, Creador del cielo y de la tierra, y en Jesucristo su único Hijo, nuestro Señor, que fue concebido por obra y gracia del Espíritu Santo, y nació de la Virgen María, padeció debajo del poder de Poncio Pilato; fue crucificado, muerto y sepultado, descendió a los infiernos, al tercero día resucitó de entre los muertos, subió a los cielos y está sentado a la diestra de Dios Padre todopoderoso, desde allí ha de venir a juzgar los vivos y los muertos.
Creo en el Espíritu Santo, la santa Iglesia católica, la comunión de los santos, el perdón de los pecados, la resurrección de la carne y la vida perdurable.
Amén.
Today’s wording differs in a few phrases. Most Spanish-speaking parishes now say “Creo en Dios, Padre todopoderoso,” “nació de Santa María Virgen,” “al tercer día,” “a la derecha de Dios,” “a vivos y muertos” and “la vida eterna.”
What the key phrases mean
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Creo en Dios Padre todopoderoso | I believe in God the Father almighty |
| Creador del cielo y de la tierra | Creator of heaven and earth |
| su único Hijo, nuestro Señor | his only Son, our Lord |
| concebido por obra y gracia del Espíritu Santo | conceived by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit |
| padeció debajo del poder de Poncio Pilato | suffered under Pontius Pilate |
| descendió a los infiernos | he descended into hell |
| al tercero (tercer) día resucitó | on the third day he rose again |
| la comunión de los santos | the communion of saints |
| el perdón de los pecados | the forgiveness of sins |
| la resurrección de la carne | the resurrection of the body |
| la vida perdurable (eterna) | life everlasting |
How to pronounce it
Spanish is read as it is written. A few tips for English speakers:
- “Creo” is two syllables: KREH-oh. “Dios” is one: dee-OHS.
- “j” sounds like a strong “h”: Jesucristo (heh-soo-KREES-toh).
- “ll” sounds like “y” and “ñ” like “ny”: Señor (seh-NYOHR).
- “c” before e or i, and “z”, sound like “s” in Latin America: crucificado (kroo-see-fee-KAH-doh).
- The “h” is silent: Hijo (EE-hoh).
The Apostles’ Creed in English
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified;
died, and was buried.
He descended into hell;
the third day He arose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty;
from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
The Nicene Creed in Spanish
At Sunday Mass most Spanish-speaking Catholics say the longer Nicene Creed, which begins “Creo en un solo Dios, Padre todopoderoso, Creador del cielo y de la tierra.” It professes the same faith in more detail: Christ is “Dios de Dios, Luz de Luz,” and the Holy Spirit is “Señor y dador de vida.” The current text is the official translation of the bishops’ conferences and is printed in every Spanish missal and parish missalette. See the Nicene Creed in English and Latin.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say the Apostles’ Creed in Spanish?
It begins “Creo en Dios Padre todopoderoso, Creador del cielo y de la tierra.” The full text is above.
What is “el Credo”?
“Creo” means “I believe”; el Credo is the Creed, a summary of the Christian faith.
Is the Spanish Apostles’ Creed different from the English?
No; it is the same creed. “Descendió a los infiernos” is “he descended into hell,” and “la resurrección de la carne” is “the resurrection of the body.”
More prayers in Spanish
- Apostles’ Creed in Latin
- Catholic prayers in Spanish
- Hail Mary in Spanish
- Our Father in Spanish
- Rosary prayers in Spanish
- Act of Contrition in Spanish
- Apostles’ Creed
Texts and sources
- Gaspar Astete, Catecismo de la Doctrina Cristiana (1599), Valladolid edition of 1787, Spanish Wikisource; spelling and accents modernized.
- The Apostles’ Creed in English: see the Apostles’ Creed page for its source.