portador de féretro
/poɾtadoɾ de feɾetɾo/from spelling rulesmasculine
The Spanish word for pallbearer is portador de féretro. If unsure, use portador de féretro. Wiktionary also lists portador del féretro.
Meaning: casket bearer (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| portador de féretro | /poɾtadoɾ de feɾetɾo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| portador del féretro | /poɾtadoɾ del feɾetɾo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
Which one should you use?
The form portador de féretro describes the general role of a pallbearer. In contrast, portador del féretro uses the contraction del (of the) to refer specifically to the bearer of a particular casket.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a female pallbearer, change the masculine noun portador to the feminine portadora to get portadora de féretro. When expressing the plural, only the noun is pluralized, resulting in portadores de féretro.
How do you pronounce it?
/poɾtadoɾ de feɾetɾo/
Did you know?
- The term féretro actually comes from the Ancient Greek word phéretron, which was not originally a coffin but a 'stretcher' used to carry people.
- In some traditional Spanish and Latin American processions, portadores carry the casket on their shoulders rather than using a wheeled hearse.
- The role of portador is frequently an unspoken social obligation for close family members in many Spanish-speaking cultures, rather than a paid professional service.
Examples in context
- Seremos varios acompañantes del difunto en el servicio conmemorativo.We will be several pallbearers during the memorial service.
- Necesitamos un portador de féretro adicional para la procesión.We need an additional pallbearer for the procession.
- El joven actuó como portador de féretro para su abuelo.The young man acted as a pallbearer for his grandfather.
Example conversation
María and Daniel are planning a funeral service.
- MaríaDaniel, ¿quién será el portador de féretro?Daniel, who will be the pallbearer?
- DanielMi hermano aceptó ser portador de féretro.My brother agreed to be a pallbearer.
- MaríaEso es muy bueno, gracias a él.That is very good, thanks to him.
- DanielÉl quiere ayudar en este momento.He wants to help at this moment.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pallbearer” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, del, féretro, portador, CC BY-SA 4.0.
