cadáver
/kaˈdabeɾ/
The phrase "dead body" in Spanish is translated as cadáver.
cadáver refers to the physical remains of a person who has died.
Which one should you use?
While cadáver is the standard term for a dead body, it is more clinical or formal than the common phrase un muerto, which translates to "a dead person" or "a corpse".
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of cadáver is cadáveres.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaˈdabeɾ/
Did you know?
- The word cadáver shares a common root with the English word 'cadence', as both derive from the Latin 'cadere', meaning 'to fall'.
- In certain legal Spanish documents, a dead body is referred to as el occiso, a highly specific term used almost exclusively for victims of homicide.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, if a person dies, people might colloquially refer to them as el difunto instead of using the more blunt cadáver or muerto.
Examples in context
- Un oso no tocará un cadáver.A bear will not touch a dead body.This sentence shows how to use cadáver in the context of an animal and a dead body.Tatoeba #2104105 by marcelostockle, translation #18078 by CM
- El perro de Layla encontró un cadáver.Layla's dog found a dead body.This sentence illustrates a situation where a dog finds a cadáver.Tatoeba #6102213 by hayastan, translation #6101643 by OsoHombre
- ¿Qué ha hecho, mi señor, con el cadáver?What have you done, my lord, with the dead body?This sentence demonstrates a formal way to ask about the whereabouts of a cadáver.Tatoeba #1279875 by marcelostockle, translation #1172259 by Scott
- El equipo forense examinó el cadáver cuidadosamenteThe forensic team carefully examined the dead body
- El cuerpo sin vida fue encontrado en el lugar del accidenteThe lifeless body was found at the accident site
- Los periodistas llegaron al lugar donde se descubrió el cadáver sin vidaThe journalists arrived at the location where the lifeless corpse was discovered
- La policía llegó a la escena del crimen y encontró un cadáver en el suelo, cubierto con una sábana blanca.The police arrived at the crime scene and found a dead body on the ground, covered with a white sheet.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A forensic technician and a police officer discuss a scene.
- DanielEl detective llegó para examinar el cadáver.The detective arrived to examine the dead body.
- SofíaDaniel, ¿ya viste el cadáver?Daniel, have you seen the dead body yet?
- DanielSí, Sofía, acabo de llegar al lugar.Yes, Sofía, I just arrived at the scene.
- SofíaDebemos registrar todo el área ahora.We must search the entire area now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cadáver, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cadáver, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
