A closed, polished dark wood coffin with metallic handles, resting on a floor.

ataúd

ah-tah-OOD

nounmB1

coffin?container for a deceased person

Also:casket?formal term for a coffin

📝 In Action

El ataúd fue cubierto con una bandera.

The coffin was covered with a flag.

Los carpinteros construyeron un ataúd de madera de roble.

The carpenters built an oak wood casket.

Seis personas llevaron el ataúd hasta la tumba.

Six people carried the coffin to the grave.

Word Connections

Synonyms

féretro (coffin (more formal))
caja (box (general term, sometimes used euphemistically))

Common Collocations

transportar un ataúd – to transport a coffin
cerrar el ataúd – to close the casket

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun

Remember to use the masculine article 'el' (el ataúd) and masculine adjectives with this word.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Pronunciation Stress

Mistake: "Saying 'ATA-ud' (stress on the middle 'a')."

Correction: The accent mark over the 'ú' means the stress MUST fall there: a-ta-ÚD. Say the last two vowels as separate sounds, not a single dipthong.

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal Context

While 'ataúd' is the standard term, in highly formal or literary contexts, you might hear 'féretro'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: ataúd

Question 1 of 2

Which English word is the best primary translation for 'ataúd'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

enterrar(to bury) - verb

funeral(funeral) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does 'ataúd' have an accent mark on the 'ú'?

The accent mark is there to make sure you stress the last syllable and pronounce the 'a' and 'ú' as two separate vowels (a 'hiatus'), not blending them together into one sound. If it didn't have the accent, the stress would fall on the 'a' (A-ta-ud).