falleció
“falleció” means “passed away” in Spanish (formal, respectful).
passed away, died
Also: expired
📝 In Action
El escritor falleció en su casa rodeado de su familia.
B1The writer passed away at his home surrounded by his family.
La noticia indica que la víctima falleció en el acto.
B2The news indicates that the victim died instantly.
Mi abuelo falleció hace diez años.
B1My grandfather died ten years ago.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "falleció" in Spanish:
passed away→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: falleció
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'falleció' correctly?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin verb *fallescere*, which means 'to fail' or 'to weaken.' This evolved in Spanish to mean 'to fail in life,' giving us the polite term for 'to die.'
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'falleció' and 'murió'?
Both mean 'he/she died,' but 'falleció' (from *fallecer*) is much more formal and respectful. Think of 'murió' (from *morir*) as 'died' and 'falleció' as 'passed away.' Use 'falleció' in official settings or when showing extra respect.
Is 'falleció' a regular verb?
Yes, *fallecer* is generally regular in its endings, but it has a minor spelling change (c to zc) in the present tense 'yo' form and all subjunctive forms to keep the sound consistent. The form 'falleció' itself follows the standard pattern for -er verbs in the simple past.