cadáver
/kaˈdabeɾ/masculine
The English word "corpse" is translated into Spanish as cadáver. Wiktionary also lists cuerpo and fiambre.
Meaning: dead body (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cadáver | /kaˈdabeɾ/ | masculine |
| cuerpo | /ˈkweɾpo/ | masculine |
| fiambre | /ˈfjambɾe/ | colloquial, masculine |
| muerto | /ˈmweɾto/ | masculine |
While cuerpo means "body," cadáver is the specific term for a dead body or a corpse.
Which one should you use?
Cadáver refers specifically to the physical corpse. In contrast, muerto refers more to the person who has died.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The formal term for "corpse" in Spanish is cadáver. Muerto can be employed informally to refer to a corpse in certain contexts. Fiambre is a colloquial way to refer to a corpse.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase restos mortales is commonly used in various regions of Spain to refer to a "corpse".
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of cadáver is cadáveres.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaˈdabeɾ/
When do people say it?
Fiambre is a slang or colloquial way to refer to a corpse, literally meaning "cold food" or "leftovers".
Did you know?
- The word muerto is a cognate with the Russian word мёртвый and the Hindi word मृत. All these languages share a common ancestor from the Proto-Indo-European root *mer-.
- The colloquial word for corpse fiambre literally means 'cold meat' or 'cold cuts'. This dark humor compares a dead body to the kind of food kept cold in a refrigerator.
Examples in context
- Es profano desenterrar un cadáver.Digging up a corpse is profanity.This sentence is useful for discussing the profanity of digging up a cadáver.Tatoeba #1234482 by marcelostockle, translation #1234506 by marcelostockle
- Encontramos un cadáver en las ruinas.We found a corpse in the ruins.This sentence is useful for describing finding a cadáver in ruins.Tatoeba #2851959 by marcelostockle, translation #2852158 by patgfisher
- Todo hombre es un cadáver en potencia.Every man is a potential corpse.This sentence uses cadáver to make a philosophical point about mortality.Tatoeba #1332070 by marcelostockle, translation #1331901 by Eldad
- En el informe forense se identificó el cadáver de la víctima.In the forensic report, the victim's corpse was identified.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are watching a crime investigation show on TV.
- MateoEl detective busca el cadáver.The detective is looking for the corpse.
- Elena¿Dónde está el cadáver, Mateo?Where is the corpse, Mateo?
- MateoNo lo han encontrado todavía.They haven't found it yet.
- ElenaQué escena tan terrible.What a terrible scene.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “corpse” translations and entries cadáver, cuerpo, fiambre, muerto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cadáver, cuerpo, fiambre, muerto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
