escritor fantasma
/eskɾitoɾ fantasma/from spelling rules
The English phrase ghost writer is escritor fantasma in Spanish.
escritor fantasma is used to mean ghost writer. While it is understood, in professional contexts escritor de encargo is often used to describe someone hired to write on behalf of another, which means writer for hire or commissioned writer.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation where escritor means writer and fantasma means ghost.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you may come across the term escritor en la sombra.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a female ghost writer, change the noun to the feminine form escritora fantasma.
How do you pronounce it?
/eskɾitoɾ fantasma/
Did you know?
- While escritor fantasma is a direct translation of the English term, using the word 'fantasma' to describe a person can sometimes imply they are a 'fraud' or a 'fake' in certain colloquial Spanish contexts.
- The Greek root of fantasma, 'phantázō', actually means 'to make visible' or 'to bring to light', which is the opposite of what a ghost does in a story.
Examples in context
- Contraté a un escritor fantasma para escribir mi libro.I hired a ghost writer to write my book.
- Mi primo es un escritor en las sombras. Escribe para famosos sin recibir reconocimiento público.My cousin is a ghost writer. He writes for celebrities without receiving public recognition.
- Él trabaja como un escritor fantasma para celebridades.He works as a ghost writer for celebrities.
- Necesito contratar a un escritor fantasma para mi biografía.I need to hire a ghost writer for my biography.
- El escritor fantasma no recibirá crédito por el libro.The ghost writer will not receive credit for the book.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are talking about a new celebrity book.
- MaríaEste libro es increíble, ¿lo escribió ella?This book is incredible, did she write it?
- AlejandroNo, creo que usó un escritor fantasma.No, I think she used a ghost writer.
- MaríaTiene sentido, ella no tiene tiempo.That makes sense, she doesn't have time.
- AlejandroExacto, es muy común en su industria.Exactly, it is very common in her industry.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries escritor, fantasma, CC BY-SA 4.0.
