hostia
/ˈostja/
interjection
B2
el (masc.) la (fem.)
Underline = a spelling pattern that usually signals that gender.
Meaning
Usage notes
Literally the consecrated communion wafer, so many speakers consider it blasphemous; in Spain it is an extremely common exclamation of surprise or anger («¡hostia!»; «una hostia» also means a slap). Vulgar. Milder alternatives: «madre mía», «caramba», «vaya».
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