Today’s Spanish word of the day is “sin”.
It’s a preposition meaning “without”.
The word “sin” is used several common expressions, including the following:
- Sin lugar a dudas – Without a doubt
- Sin más – Just like that / Without further explanation
- Sin embargo – Nevertheless
- Sin fin – Endless
- Sin falta – Without fail
- Sin pelos en la lengua – Without mincing words (literally “without hairs on the tongue”)
Although it’s spelled identically to the English word “sin”, they have different etymologies. While the English word “sin” is Germanic, Spanish “sin” comes from Latin sine, which also meant “without” and is used in some phrases that have been adopted into English, for example “sine qua non”, meaning “without which it could not be”.
Example sentences
El café sin azúcar es más saludable.
Coffee without sugar is healthier.
Salimos sin paraguas y nos mojamos.
We went out without an umbrella and got wet.
Lo hizo sin que nadie lo viera.
He did it without anyone seeing him.
Sin duda, es el mejor candidato.
Without doubt, he’s the best candidate.
Vivió sin esperanza.
He/she lived without hope.
