Día de Muertos Vocabulary: Spanish Words and Traditions
Learn the Spanish behind Día de Muertos: ofrenda, calaveras, cempasúchil, pan de muerto, papel picado and phrases to talk about the celebration.
By Ayoub Farid · · 2 min read
Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), celebrated mainly on November 1 and 2, is a Mexican tradition honoring loved ones who have died. It's joyful as much as it is solemn, and it comes with its own rich vocabulary.
Key words
| Spanish | Meaning |
|---|---|
| la ofrenda | home altar for the dead |
| el altar | altar |
| el cempasúchil / la flor de muerto | marigold, the traditional flower |
| el papel picado | cut-paper banners |
| la calavera | skull; also a playful rhyming poem |
| la calaverita de azúcar | sugar skull |
| el pan de muerto | sweet bread for the season |
| las veladoras | candles |
| el copal | incense resin |
| el panteón / el cementerio | cemetery |
| los difuntos | the departed |
| La Catrina | the elegant skeleton figure |
The ofrenda
Families build an ofrenda with photos of loved ones, their favorite foods and drinks, cempasúchil, candles, water, salt and papel picado. The idea is to welcome the spirits home for a visit.
Phrases
- Vamos a poner la ofrenda. — We're going to set up the altar.
- Esta es la foto de mi abuelo. — This is my grandfather's photo.
- Le gustaba mucho el mole. — He really liked mole.
- Lo recordamos con cariño. — We remember him with love.
- ¿Me cuentas cómo era? — Will you tell me what he was like?
Talking about loved ones uses the imperfect tense: era, le gustaba, siempre decía.
Calaveras literarias
Short, funny rhyming poems where Death "comes for" a friend or public figure. Writing one in Spanish is a fun challenge for learners.
Not Mexican Halloween
Día de Muertos is not "Mexican Halloween". It's a distinct tradition with Indigenous and Catholic roots, focused on remembering family.
Practice dialogue
- You: Abuela, ¿quién es el señor de la foto en la ofrenda?
- Abuela: Es tu bisabuelo, Don Ramón.
- You: ¿Cómo era?
- Abuela: Era muy trabajador y le encantaba cantar.
- You: ¿Y qué le ponemos en la ofrenda?
- Abuela: Pan de muerto, café y sus cigarros. ¡Le gustaban mucho!
Practice
Día de Muertos is a beautiful topic for a family call: ask your relatives about the people on the ofrenda. Rehearse with Lolo's call with abuela, then call the real one. See Spanish holiday phrases and Mexican food vocabulary.
Frequently asked questions
When is Día de Muertos?
Mainly November 1 and 2, with preparations in the days before.
What is an ofrenda?
A home altar with photos, food, flowers and candles to welcome the spirits of loved ones.
What is cempasúchil?
The Mexican marigold, whose color and scent are said to guide spirits home.
