antepasados
/antepasados/from spelling rules
The English phrase "ancestors" is translated into Spanish as antepasados.
antepasados refers to family members from previous generations, such as grandparents and great-grandparents.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the prefix ante- (before) and pasados (passed/gone by).
Which one should you use?
While antepasados refers to lineage, ancestros is a synonym that is often used in more scientific or genealogical contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is antepasado, used when referring to a single ancestor.
How do you pronounce it?
/antepasados/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the term antepasados is often used in the context of el Día de los Muertos, where families set up ofrendas to welcome their ancestors back to the world of the living for one night.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the term antepasados might feel too clinical for a religious context, where people prefer to speak of los difuntos, meaning 'the deceased'.
- In Spanish, the expression de tal palo, tal astilla is often used when an ancestor's traits reappear in a descendant, similar to 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree'.
Examples in context
- Mis antepasados lo escribieron.My ancestors wrote it.This sentence shows the use of antepasados in the first person singular.Tatoeba #10031531 by manufrutos, translation #10028437 by shekitten
- Nuestros antepasados lo escribieron.Our ancestors wrote it.This sentence shows the use of antepasados in the first person plural.Tatoeba #10031530 by manufrutos, translation #10028444 by shekitten
- Nuestros antepasados sabían leer las estrellas.Our ancestors knew how to read the stars.This sentence shows how antepasados can be used to describe the knowledge of previous generations.Tatoeba #1687349 by teskmon, translation #23369 by kremel
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are looking at an old family photo album.
- MateoTengo muchas fotos de mis antepasados.I have many photos of my ancestors.
- ElenaParecen personas muy interesantes, Mateo.They look like very interesting people, Mateo.
- Mateo¿Conocías a tus antepasados?Did you know your ancestors?
- ElenaNo, solo conozco sus historias.No, I only know their stories.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
