Déu

Déu is the Catalan word for God. It refers to the single, supreme deity in monotheistic belief systems and is used across Catalan-speaking communities to denote God in Christian, Jewish, and Muslim contexts, as well as in general religious discourse. The term functions as a common noun and, when capitalized, as a proper noun in religious texts. In everyday language Catalan speakers say “creure en Déu” (to believe in God) and exclamations such as “Déu meu!” (My God!).

Etymology: Déu derives from Latin Deus and entered Catalan through the medieval development of the language, with spellings evolving into Déu in modern standard Catalan. The plural form dèus is used when referring to multiple deities, as in mythological contexts.

Usage and context: In Catalan-speaking regions, references to Déu appear in liturgy, poetry, and prose, reflecting the influence of Catholicism historically, as well as Jewish and Muslim communities present in the region. The concept of Déu encompasses traditional attributes of the monotheistic God: creator, sustainer, and judge, though beliefs and emphasis vary among communities and individuals.

See also: God in other languages (Dieu, Dios, Dio), Catalan language, Religion in Catalonia, Monotheism.