fantasmas
“fantasmas” means “ghosts” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
ghosts
Also: phantoms, specters
📝 In Action
Dicen que en esa casa antigua hay muchos fantasmas.
A2They say there are many ghosts in that old house.
Mis hermanos se asustan con las películas de fantasmas.
B1My siblings get scared by ghost movies.
boasters, show-offs
Also: unreliable people
📝 In Action
No te fíes de ese grupo, son unos fantasmas; prometen mucho y no hacen nada.
B2Don't trust that group, they are show-offs; they promise a lot and do nothing.
Mi jefe es un fantasma. Dice que tiene contactos importantes pero nunca los usa.
C1My boss is a boaster. He says he has important contacts but never uses them.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "fantasmas" in Spanish:
boasters→ghosts→phantoms→show-offs→specters→unreliable people→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: fantasmas
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'fantasmas' in its informal, figurative meaning?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Greek 'phántasma,' meaning 'apparition' or 'image,' which passed into Latin as 'phantasma.' It has always been connected to things that appear but aren't quite real.
First recorded: Medieval Spanish
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
If 'fantasma' ends in -a, why is it masculine?
This is a common exception! 'Fantasma' is one of several nouns derived from Greek that end in -ma (like 'problema' or 'clima') but are masculine. You must always use 'el fantasma' and 'los fantasmas'.
Can I use 'fantasmas' to describe a female boaster?
Yes. When used in the figurative sense, 'fantasma' and 'fantasmas' are used for both men and women who are show-offs or unreliable. It acts as a fixed masculine noun in this context.