fantasmas
/fantasmas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "ghosts" is translated into Spanish as fantasmas.
fantasmas refers to the spirits of dead people that appear to the living. The singular form fantasma can be used to refer to a literal spirit or phantom, or it can be used metaphorically to describe something that is illusory or non-existent.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word fantasmas is the plural form of the masculine noun fantasma. Because the noun is masculine, it is used with the masculine articles el for a singular ghost and los for multiple ghosts.
How do you pronounce it?
/fantasmas/
Did you know?
- In colloquial Spanish, calling someone a fantasma does not mean they are dead, but that they are a boastful person or a 'show-off' who exaggerates their achievements.
- The word fantasía meaning 'fantasy' shares the same linguistic root as fantasma. Both derive from the Greek word for an appearance or apparition.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the term ánima is used instead of fantasma to refer to a soul in purgatory seeking prayers from the living.
Examples in context
- Tom puede ver fantasmas.Tom can see ghosts.This sentence shows how to use the form fantasmas with the verb 'can see'.Tatoeba #9381367 by ignacio, translation #7051093 by Hybrid
- Los fantasmas no existen.Ghosts do not exist.This sentence demonstrates the use of fantasmas to state that ghosts do not exist.Tatoeba #1875973 by Shishir, translation #1875842 by Spamster
- Mi abuelo veía fantasmas.My grandfather could see ghosts.This sentence uses fantasmas to describe the ability of a person to see them.Tatoeba #9381366 by ignacio, translation #9381332 by SirCourgette
- Se decía que los espíritus rondaban aquella casa antigua.It was said that the ghosts haunted that old house.
- El pueblo está lleno de almas en pena que no pueden descansar.The town is full of tormented souls who cannot rest.
- ¡Cuidado con los fantasmas en Halloween!Be careful with the ghosts on Halloween!
- Mi abuela me contaba historias de fantasmas que aparecían en la antigua mansiónMy grandmother used to tell me stories of ghosts appearing in the old mansion
- El viejo castillo está lleno de espectros aterradores.The old castle is full of terrifying specters.
- El pueblo siempre ha tenido rumores de aparecidos y espectros en la vieja iglesiaThe town has always had rumors of apparitions and specters in the old church
- 63 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are walking through an old, dark forest.
- AlejandroSiento que hay fantasmas aquí.I feel like there are ghosts here.
- SofíaNo tengas miedo, Alejandro.Don't be afraid, Alejandro.
- AlejandroEs que el lugar es muy lúgubre.It's just that the place is very gloomy.
- SofíaSolo son sombras, no hay fantasmas.They are just shadows, there are no ghosts.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
