Inklingo
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A row of framed portraits on a wall showing a great-grandfather, a grandfather, and a father in a consistent style.

antepasados

ahn-teh-pah-SAH-dohs

nounmA2
ancestors?family members from previous generations
Also:forefathers?more formal or historical reference to people of the past

📝 In Action

Mis antepasados vinieron de España en el siglo diecinueve.

A2

My ancestors came from Spain in the nineteenth century.

Debemos respetar las tradiciones de nuestros antepasados.

B1

We must respect the traditions of our ancestors.

Ella está investigando a sus antepasados para hacer su árbol genealógico.

B1

She is researching her ancestors to make her family tree.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ancestros (ancestors)
  • progenitores (forebears)

Antonyms

  • descendientes (descendants)
  • sucesores (successors)

Common Collocations

  • honrar a los antepasados – to honor one's ancestors
  • tierra de mis antepasados – land of my ancestors

💡 Grammar Points

Always Plural

While 'antepasado' can be used in the singular to mean one ancestor, you will almost always hear it in the plural form ('antepasados') because it usually refers to a whole group of people from your family tree.

Gendered Plurals

Even though this word ends in '-os' (masculine), it refers to both your male and female ancestors combined.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'antiguos'

Mistake: "Mis antiguos vivían aquí."

Correction: Mis antepasados vivían aquí.

⭐ Usage Tips

Family Tree Context

Use this word specifically when talking about blood relatives from the distant past. For your immediate parents or grandparents, just use 'padres' or 'abuelos'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: antepasados

Question 1 of 1

Which word best describes your great-great-grandparents?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

antepasado(ancestor (singular)) - noun
pasar(to pass) - verb
pasado(past) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a female version like 'antepasadas'?

Technically yes, but 'antepasados' is the standard way to refer to your ancestors regardless of their gender. Use 'antepasados' for a mixed group of men and women.

What is the difference between 'ancestros' and 'antepasados'?

They are very similar! 'Ancestros' sounds slightly more formal or scientific, while 'antepasados' is the common, everyday word used by native speakers.