Helpful AP Spanish Lit terms

these are helpful for understanding texts better; they are not literary devices. buena suerte!

Alba

dawn, often symbolizes new beginnings

Amanecer

sunrise, the start of something or hope

Anochecer

sunset/dusk, endings, reflection, melancholy

Sombra

shadow, secrecy, mystery, death

Luz

light, knowledge, hope, purity

Estrella

star, guidance, hope, destiny

Luna

moon, romance, mystery, cycles

Sol

sun, life, energy, clarity

Mar

sea, journey, emotions, life’s vastness

Río

river, passage of time, life, change

Lago

lake, calm, reflection, hidden depth

Montaña

mountain, challenge, strength, permanence

Valle

valley, low point, humility, rest

Bosque

forest, mystery, danger, nature

Viento

wind, change, freedom, movement

Tormenta

storm, conflict, chaos, transformation

Lluvia

rain, cleansing, renewal, sadness

Flor

flower, beauty, fragility, love

Rosa

rose, love, passion, transience

Jardín

garden, harmony, life, cultivation

Árbol

tree, growth, life, stability

Amor

love, affection, passion, connection

Pasión

passion, intense feeling, desire

Deseo

desire, longing, aspiration

Tristeza

sadness, melancholy, loss

Dolor

pain, suffering, hardship

Pena

grief, sorrow, regret

Llanto

crying, mourning, emotional release

Alegría

joy, happiness, celebration

Gozo

delight, pleasure, inner happiness

Felicidad

happiness, contentment, fulfillment

Soledad

solitude, loneliness, introspection

Abandono

abandonment, neglect, isolation

Desdicha

misfortune, unhappiness, sorrow

Miedo

fear, anxiety, threat

Temor

fear, dread, caution

Horror

horror, terror, extreme fear

Esperanza

hope, expectation, desire for good

Fe

faith, trust, belief

Ilusión

illusion, dream, hope, desire

Envidia

envy, jealousy, longing for what others have

Celos

jealousy, possessiveness, rivalry

Orgullo

pride, self-esteem, sometimes arrogance

Vida

life, existence, vitality

Alma

soul, essence, inner self

Espíritu

spirit, soul, character, energy

Muerte

death, end, mortality

Tumba

tomb, grave, final resting place

Sepulcro

tomb, burial place, death

Destino

fate, destiny, preordained path

Fortuna

fortune, luck, chance events

Suerte

luck, chance, fortune

Tiempo

time, passing moments, temporality

Eternidad

eternity, timelessness, infinity

Instante

moment, brief period, snapshot in time

Juventud

youth, beginning of life, vitality

Vejez

old age, maturity, final stages of life

Edad

age, life stage, passage of time

Guerra

war, conflict, struggle

Batalla

battle, fight, confrontation

Lucha

fight, effort, struggle

Espada

sword, conflict, honor, violence

Hierro

iron, strength, rigidity, weaponry

Sangre

blood, life, family, violence

Enemigo

enemy, opposition, threat

Traición

betrayal, deceit, disloyalty

Venganza

revenge, retribution, justice

Dolor

pain, suffering, hardship

Sufrimiento

suffering, prolonged hardship

Castigo

punishment, consequence, retribution

Dios

God, divinity, higher power

Ángel

angel, spiritual being, messenger

Demonio

demon, evil being, temptation

Cielo

heaven, sky, divine realm

Infierno

hell, suffering, punishment

Purgatorio

purgatory, place of purification

Alma

soul, essence, inner self

Pecado

sin, moral wrongdoing

Redención

redemption, salvation, forgiveness

Oración

prayer, communication with the divine

Penitencia

penance, atonement, repentance

Milagro

miracle, divine intervention

Libertad

freedom, liberty, independence

Esclavitud

slavery, oppression, lack of freedom

Justicia

justice, fairness, law

Ley

law, rule, regulation

Honor

honor, reputation, dignity

Belleza

beauty, aesthetic value, perfection

Fealdad

ugliness, lack of beauty, deformity

Perfección

perfection, flawlessness, ideal

Verdad

truth, reality, fact

Mentira

lie, falsehood, deception

Ilusión

illusion, deception, false hope

Oscuridad

darkness, ignorance, evil

Sombra

shadow, concealment, mystery

Luz

light, clarity, hope, knowledge

Amar

to love, to cherish, to feel affection

Odiar

to hate, to despise, to detest

Desear

to desire, to long for, to want

Buscar

to search, to seek, to look for