espírito

Espírito is a Portuguese noun meaning spirit or soul, referring to the immaterial essence of a person, being, or concept. The word comes from Latin spiritus and entered Portuguese through historical linguistic development. It is masculine in gender, with plural espíritos.

In religious and philosophical contexts, espírito denotes non-material aspects such as the soul or a spiritual presence. In Christianity, Espírito Santo is the Holy Spirit. In Spiritism and related Brazilian traditions, the term espíritos refers to disembodied beings that can communicate with the living, and to the practice of contacting these entities. In everyday language, espírito can also appear in expressions describing vitality, enthusiasm, or the morale of a group, as in phrases like espírito de equipe.

In Brazilian geography and toponymy, Espírito Santo is a major example of the term’s use as a place name component. Espírito Santo is one of Brazil’s 26 states, located in the Southeast, with its capital at Vitória. The state’s name honors the Holy Spirit. The form also appears in several municipalities and localities, such as Espírito Santo do Pinhal in São Paulo and Espírito Santo do Turvo in Rio Grande do Sul, among others.

In Afro-Brazilian religious practices, such as Umbanda and Candomblé, espírito is used to designate spiritual beings that can inhabit or communicate through mediums, often categorized as spirits of ancestors, guides, or benevolent entities. The broader term espiritismo or espiritismo kardecista refers to the organized movement that studies and mediates contact with spirits.

See also: Espírito Santo; espirito (spirit) in Portuguese; espiritualidade.