Spirito

Spirito is an Italian noun that translates to spirit in English. It derives from the Latin spiritus and is used to denote non-material essences such as a ghost or soul, the animating life force, or a person’s mood or character. In broader use, it can refer to breath or life itself and appears in religious, philosophical, and everyday language.

In Italian usage, spirito appears in a range of expressions. Religious contexts commonly use Spirito Santo for the Holy Spirit. Secular phrases describe a person’s attitude or vitality, such as spirito umano (human spirit), spirito di iniziativa (spirit of initiative), or spirito di squadra (team spirit). In music, the directive con spirito indicates playing with spirited, lively feeling.

Across languages, spirito has cognates in related Romance tongues. In Portuguese the equivalent term is espírito, and in Spanish espíritu. The English term spirit is the closest broad cognate. In some cases spirito appears as a proper noun or in titles and transliterations, especially within Italian texts or names.

In cultural and theological contexts, spirito can denote both a supernatural being (as in religious doctrine) and a symbolic essence or motive within literature and philosophy. The term is common in Italian discourse on psychology, ethics, and poetry, where it often conveys the intangible, animating force behind actions, creativity, or devotion.

See also spirit, esprito, espíritu.