Which one should you use?
While fallecer is a polite euphemism similar to "passed away", the verb morir is the direct, neutral and more common way to say "to die".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The verb fallecer is a formal and respectful way to say "to die". You can use Ha fallecido as a more formal way to convey the news of someone's passing. For a more poetic or formal tone, you might use Partió de este mundo, which translates to "departed from this world". Alternatively, Tristemente nos dejó means "sadly left us". In informal settings, specifically among friends and family, you can use the affectionate phrase Se nos fue, which literally means "he/she went away from us" or Se nos adelantó, which implies that the person has gone ahead before others.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form falleció is the third-person singular preterite indicative, used to describe a completed action in the past. To say "they passed away", use the plural form fallecieron.
How do you pronounce it?
/faʝeθjo/
Did you know?
- Spanish has a specific word difunto to describe the person who has passed away, which literally means 'extinguished'.
- The phrase pasar a mejor vida is a common idiom meaning 'to move to a better life', serving as a spiritual equivalent to 'passed away'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common to respond to the news of a death with Que en paz descanse, often abbreviated as QEPD.
Examples in context
- Tom falleció en Roma.Tom passed away in Rome.This sentence is useful for noting the location where someone passed away using falleció.Tatoeba #3469889 by hayastan, translation #3475445 by tabidots
- Su abuelo falleció en paz.Their grandfather passed away peacefully.This sentence is useful for describing a peaceful passing using falleció.Tatoeba #2384767 by diegohn, translation #11101514 by DJ_Saidez
- Ella falleció hace dos días.She passed away two days ago.This sentence is useful for stating how many days ago someone passed away using falleció.Tatoeba #3216327 by cueyayotl, translation #310144 by CK
- El señor Martínez falleció la semana pasada.Mr. Martínez passed away last week.
- Lamentamos informarles que ha fallecido la señora Gómez.We regret to inform you that Mrs. Gómez has passed away.
- Con profundo pesar, les comunicamos que el famoso actor partió de este mundo.With deep sorrow, we inform you that the famous actor departed from this world.
- Tristemente nos dejó la querida abuela Ana, pero siempre estará en nuestros corazones.Sadly, our dear grandmother Ana left us, but she will always be in our hearts.
- Mi tía murió hace unos días.My aunt passed away a few days ago.
- Nuestro perro se nos fue ayer y lo extrañaremos mucho.Our dog passed away yesterday, and we will miss him dearly.
- Mi abuelo se nos adelantó, pero siempre recordaremos su amor y sabiduría.My grandfather passed away, but we will always remember his love and wisdom.
- Lamentamos la partida de Julia. Descansa en paz.We mourn the departure of Julia. Rest in peace.
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a mutual acquaintance's loss.
- MateoLucía, ¿supiste lo de tu tío?Lucía, did you hear about your uncle?
- LucíaSí, lamentablemente falleció anoche.Yes, unfortunately he passed away last night.
- MateoLo siento mucho, Mateo lo siente también.I am very sorry, Mateo feels it too.
- LucíaGracias por tus palabras, Mateo.Thank you for your words, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
