altar
standard
In Mexican Spanish "altar" is altar. For the display built for the Day of the Dead, Mexicans say ofrenda, "offering".
Meaning: a table or structure for worship or remembrance (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| altar | standard |
| ofrenda | Day of the Dead |
Altar is used for a church altar and for a small home shrine to a saint. Ofrenda is the Day of the Dead altar with photos, candles, food and flowers.
When do people say it?
The ofrenda is decorated with cempasúchil (marigold) flowers. Families put out favorite foods of the people they remember.
Did you know?
- The Day of the Dead tradition is on 1 and 2 November, and the ofrenda is part of it.
Examples in context
- El altar de la iglesia es muy antiguo.The church altar is very old.
- Mi familia pone una ofrenda en noviembre.My family sets up an offering in November.
- Tenemos un altar con la Virgen de Guadalupe.We have an altar with the Virgin of Guadalupe.
Example conversation
Ana shows her friend Tom the ofrenda in her grandmother's house.
- TomAna, ¿qué es esto?Ana, what is this?
- AnaEs la ofrenda para mi abuelito.It is the offering for my grandfather.
- TomQué bonita. ¿Y las flores?How beautiful. And the flowers?
- AnaSon cempasúchil, guían a los muertos.They are marigolds, they guide the dead.
