A view of a burial ground featuring several simple tombstones on green grass, backed by a large weeping willow tree.

cementerio

seh-men-TEH-reeo

nounmA2

cemetery?burial ground,graveyard?burial ground (often older or smaller)

📝 In Action

Fuimos al cementerio a visitar la tumba de mi abuela.

We went to the cemetery to visit my grandmother's grave.

El cementerio de la ciudad está lleno de árboles antiguos.

The city graveyard is full of old trees.

La entrada al cementerio cierra a las seis de la tarde.

The entrance to the cemetery closes at six in the evening.

Word Connections

Synonyms

camposanto (holy ground / cemetery (often poetic))
panteón (mausoleum / large cemetery)

Common Collocations

visitar el cementerio – to visit the cemetery
entierro en el cementerio – burial in the cemetery

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun Rule

Even though many Spanish words ending in '-a' are feminine, words that end in '-erio' are almost always masculine, requiring the article 'el' or 'un'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Gender Error

Mistake: "La cementerio"

Correction: El cementerio. Since this word ends in '-o' and is masculine, you must use 'el' for 'the'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Standard Term

While 'camposanto' is more poetic, 'cementerio' is the standard, neutral word used everywhere for a public burial ground.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: cementerio

Question 1 of 1

If you are going to 'dejar flores' (leave flowers), where are you most likely going?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

tumba(tomb, grave) - noun

entierro(burial, funeral) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'camposanto' the same as 'cementerio'?

'Camposanto' is a synonym, meaning 'holy field.' It often has a more poetic or older feel, while 'cementerio' is the standard, modern term used for any public burial ground.