What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of tierra (land/earth), de (of), los (the, masculine plural) and muertos (dead/deceased).
Which one should you use?
In mythological or spiritual contexts, tierra de los muertos is often contrasted with la tierra de los vivos, which means the land of the living.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain parts of Mexico, Mictlán is used when referring to the land of the dead. In Spain and some Latin American countries, Inframundo is used to describe the realm of the deceased.
How does it change in a sentence?
While tierra de los muertos is used as a general concept, adding the definite article la at the beginning to make it la tierra de los muertos specifies it as "the land of the dead".
When do people say it?
In Mexico, during the Day of the Dead, it is believed that souls can cross from the land of the dead to visit the land of the living if an ancestor's picture is placed on an altar with offerings.
Did you know?
- In the context of the Day of the Dead, the 'bridge' between la tierra de los vivos and la tierra de los muertos is often symbolized by petals of the cempasúchil flower.
- The Spanish word tierra shares a prehistoric root with the English word 'thirsty'. Both come from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'dry'.
- The phrase tierra de los muertos can be used metaphorically in Spanish to describe a place that is desolate, abandoned or devoid of life, regardless of any spiritual meaning.
Examples in context
- En México, se cree que en el Día de los Muertos, si pones una foto de tu ancestro en un altar con ofrendas, su alma cruzará desde la tierra de los muertos para visitar la tierra de los vivos.In Mexico, it is believed that on the Day of the Dead, if you put your ancestor's picture on an altar with offerings for them, or "ofrenda", their soul will cross from the land of the dead to visit the land of the living.This sentence is useful for describing the belief regarding how a soul crosses from the tierra de los muertos to visit the living.Tatoeba #10302071 by DJ_Saidez, translation #9444292 by DJ_Saidez
- ¡En el País de los Muertos, las almas celebran junto a los vivos durante el Día de los Muertos! Es una fiesta muy animada.In the Land of the Dead, souls celebrate alongside the living during the Day of the Dead! It's a very lively celebration.
- La bruja condujo al niño a través del umbral al Reino de los Difuntos, donde viviría aventuras sin igual.The witch led the child through the threshold into the Kingdom of the Departed, where they would have unparalleled adventures.
- El chamán viajó a la tierra de los muertos.The shaman traveled to the land of the dead.
- Muchos mitos hablan de la tierra de los muertos.Many myths speak of the land of the dead.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are discussing a fantasy book they both read.
- MateoEl protagonista viaja a la tierra de los muertos.The protagonist travels to the land of the dead.
- MaríaSí, María piensa que esa parte es muy triste.Yes, María thinks that part is very sad.
- Mateo¿Crees que pueda regresar al mundo real?Do you think he can return to the real world?
- MaríaNo lo sé, pero el libro es fascinante.I don't know, but the book is fascinating.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, los, tierra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
