How can one differentiate between the word for sky and Heaven?

Question

I want this to say that they looked to the sky in search of answers....then later according to the heavens. How can I make this difference seen?

Muchas veces estas personas miraron hacia el cielo en busca de respuestas. Los mayas, como los romanos y los griegos, tenían sus propias ideas sobre nuestro universo según los cielos.

Answer 1

As far as I know, there's no difference.

Sky is cielo (or "firmamento") and

Heaven is cielo (when you speak about God you can also call it "Paraíso")

But "cielo" for both is perfectly fine

Answer 2

As a previous answer stated: context is the key"!

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Anyway... you might be talking about angels or about satellites... in Spanish is always "cielo"... There's no difference...

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Of course there are synonyms, as "fimamento" where you find the satellites and "Paraíso" where you find God, but C I E L O is the most commonly used word in Spanish for both...

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Let's take your example sun:

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Muchas veces estas personas miraron hacia el cielo (o firmamento) en busca de respuestas. Los mayas, como los romanos y los griegos, tenían sus propias ideas sobre nuestro universo según los cielos. ("Paraíso" does not sound good here... again "cielo" is the correct word)

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Context does NOT matter really. I don't think is that difficult to understand. Hope it helps!

Benz, no podemos hacer más que quitar el flag, lo siento, algún idiota..... - 00494d19, Mar 9, 2010

good answers benz... I hope no more idiots flag you -.- - Zizoun, Mar 9, 2010

I didn't even know I had been flagged!!! jajaja... No hay problema Heidi... yo no estoy acá por los puntos!! - Benz, Mar 9, 2010

Answer 3

I cannot answer your question directly. I expect a native speaker will help with it. However, I can point you to a few resources such as this diccionario de sinonimos español and this including antonyms Diccionario de sinónimos y antónimos.

There is even an "org" site en Español for sinonimos. Even El País helps here: El País sinonimos-antonimos

Answer 4

There's no difference

I don't think that the English speakers mean to be insisting or implying that this "context" will result in a difference "en español", Benz, but rather that one might translate "cielo" with one word or the other with the most appropriate English word based on context.."the heavens", "heaven" or "sky".

Now I am going to go read that other thread which nizhoni1 remembered and Goyo found:--)

Whatever Janice... Scientists talk about "el cielo" and so do Priests in Church... they talk about "los ángeles del cielo" - Benz, Mar 8, 2010

I thought sun was looking for a Spanish word to make the difference between heaven and sky... wasn't she? Maybe it's too late already... I should go to bed :) Good night everybody... - Benz, Mar 8, 2010

Yes, I think you are right. But I think that that is what, for example, nizhoni was trying to telling sun, too. But I am also tired...here since 6:30am...(I am still at work) with a drive home ahead of me.. But I learned from this thread. - Janice, Mar 8, 2010

Answer 5

Sky is for non religious discussions usually, while heaven is for the most part used in a relgious context. As a previous answer stated: context is the key"!

Answer 6

delete

Context doesn't really matter nizhoni... they are both "cielo" in Spanish :) - Benz, Mar 8, 2010

not sure why this makes you angry Benz. i - nizhoni1, Mar 8, 2010

I read Heidita's input as stated in the thread below - nizhoni1, Mar 8, 2010

This doesn't make me angry :)... I'm so sorry if you got that impression nizhoni... really... - Benz, Mar 9, 2010

Answer 7

The earlier discussion of this question is here.

Buenas suerte.

You got it. You're a great messenger. :) - Goyo, Mar 8, 2010

Answer 8

The same question could be asked about "mariposa". Does it mean "butterfly" or "moth"?

For "moth" we always use "mariposa de nocturna".

Answer 9

sky = cielo

Heavens = Cielo (with initial capital letter)

¿El Cielo está en la tierra o en el cielo?

Answer 10

The same question could be asked about "mariposa". Does it mean "butterfly" or "moth"?

Going the opposite direction, what about the verb "to be"? Does it mean "estar" or "ser""?

Good examples calvo!!!!! - Benz, Mar 9, 2010

Answer 11

I just really want to know if my sentences make sense. Or do they sound repetitive?

Your sentence is ok Sun... If you feel it is repetitive or want to make a difference use "firmamento" for sky... Hope I didn't confuse you more :) - Benz, Mar 8, 2010

Your sentences are fine. - CalvoViejo, Mar 8, 2010

Thanks guys, didn't mean to make start a debate. - sunshinzmommie, Mar 8, 2010