Día de los Muertos
/dia de los mweɾtos/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "day of the dead" is Día de los Muertos.
Día de los Muertos refers to the traditional Mexican holiday used to remember and honor deceased loved ones.
When do people say it?
While the English name is often used globally, the Spanish name Día de los Muertos specifically refers to the Mexican tradition of honoring deceased relatives.
Did you know?
- The tradition of Día de los Muertos is a syncretism that blends indigenous Aztec rituals for the goddess Mictecacihuatl with the Catholic All Saints' Day.
- While the English term 'day' comes from a Germanic root, its Spanish counterpart día is a distant relative of the Latin word for 'heaven'.
- In Mexico, the phrase is often associated with cempasúchil, a specific variety of marigold whose scent is believed to guide the muertos back to their family homes.
Examples in context
- En el Día de los Muertos, comemos pan de muerto.On the Day of the Dead, we eat bread of the dead.This sentence shows the use of Día de los Muertos in the context of eating traditional bread.Tatoeba #3651991 by nonong, translation #9444275 by DJ_Saidez
- El Obon en Japón es similar al Día de los Muertos en México.Japan's Obon is similar to Mexico's Day of the Dead.This sentence compares the Japanese Obon with Día de los Muertos in Mexico.Tatoeba #10504442 by DJ_Saidez, translation #10504242 by DJ_Saidez
- "Disculpe, jefe, ¿vamos a trabajar el Día de los Muertos?" "¿Está usted muerto?" "No." "Entonces a trabajar.""Excuse me, boss, are we going to work on the Day of the Dead?" "Are you dead?" "No." "Then get to work."This sentence uses Día de los Muertos within a humorous dialogue about working during the holiday.Tatoeba #11283075 by DJ_Saidez, translation #11283081 by DJ_Saidez
- ¿Cuándo es la Conmemoración del Día de los Muertos en tu pueblo?When is the Commemoration of the Day of the Dead in your town?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are planning their trip to Mexico.
- AlejandroQuiero visitar México el Día de los Muertos.I want to visit Mexico during the Day of the Dead.
- MaríaEs una idea excelente, Alejandro.That is an excellent idea, Alejandro.
- Alejandro¿Sabes qué ropa debo llevar para el Día de los Muertos?Do you know what clothes I should wear for the Day of the Dead?
- MaríaLleva ropa cómoda y colores brillantes, María.Wear comfortable clothes and bright colors, María.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, día, los, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
