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muerte

/MWER-teh/

death

A depiction of the Grim Reaper, a skeletal figure in a long black hooded cloak holding a large scythe, symbolizing the personification of death.

*Muerte* refers to the end of life or the state of being dead. It can also refer to the personification of death, the Grim Reaper.

muerte(Noun)

fA2
death?the end of life; the state of being dead
Also:demise?a more formal term for death,Death?the personification of death, the Grim Reaper

📝 In Action

La muerte es una parte natural de la vida.

A2

Death is a natural part of life.

Le tiene miedo a la muerte.

B1

He is afraid of death.

En el cuadro, la Muerte juega al ajedrez con un caballero.

B2

In the painting, Death plays chess with a knight.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • fallecimiento (demise, passing)
  • deceso (decease)

Antonyms

  • vida (life)
  • nacimiento (birth)

Common Collocations

  • causa de la muerte – cause of death
  • pena de muerte – death penalty
  • sentencia de muerte – death sentence

Idioms & Expressions

  • estar a las puertas de la muerte – to be at death's door

💡 Grammar Points

Gender of 'Muerte'

Even though it ends in '-e', 'muerte' is a feminine word. Always remember to use 'la muerte' or 'una muerte'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Describing Someone Who Has Died

Mistake: "La persona es muerte."

Correction: La persona está muerta. To say someone is dead, you use the verb 'estar' with the adjective 'muerto/a', not the noun 'muerte'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Personification of Death

When talking about Death as a character (like the Grim Reaper), it's common to capitalize it: 'la Muerte'. This helps show you're talking about the figure, not just the concept.

A single, simple white tombstone standing alone in a vast, green, peaceful field under a clear sky, representing a specific fatality.

The word *muerte* can refer to a specific instance of dying or a casualty, such as in reports of an accident.

muerte(Noun)

fB1
death?a specific instance of dying, a casualty
Also:fatality?used in official reports (accidents, disasters)

📝 In Action

La policía investiga la muerte del empresario.

B1

The police are investigating the death of the businessman.

Hubo varias muertes en el accidente de tren.

B1

There were several deaths in the train accident.

Su muerte fue una sorpresa para todos.

A2

His death was a surprise to everyone.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • víctima (victim)
  • baja (casualty (in war/conflict))

Common Collocations

  • muerte accidental – accidental death
  • muerte violenta – violent death

⭐ Usage Tips

A Countable 'Death'

In this sense, 'muerte' can be counted. You can say 'una muerte' (a death) or 'muchas muertes' (many deaths), which is different from the general, uncountable idea of death ('la muerte').

A broken, dusty video cassette tape lying abandoned next to a crumbling building entrance, symbolizing the ruin or end of a business.

Figuratively and informally, *muerte* can mean the ruin or destruction of something ('la muerte del videoclub'), or describe something extremely difficult or unpleasant.

muerte(Noun)

fB2
end?the ruin or destruction of something
Also:a killer?informal, something very difficult or unpleasant,a nightmare?informal, something terrible

📝 In Action

La llegada de internet fue la muerte del videoclub.

B2

The arrival of the internet was the death of the video store.

¡Qué calor! Esto es la muerte.

B2

It's so hot! This is a killer / This is torture.

Trabajar con él es la muerte; es muy exigente.

C1

Working with him is a nightmare; he's very demanding.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • fin (end)
  • ruina (ruin)
  • pesadilla (nightmare)

Idioms & Expressions

  • ser la muerte a pellizcos – to be a slow and painful process

⭐ Usage Tips

Adding Emphasis

Calling something 'la muerte' is a strong, informal way to say it's extremely unpleasant, difficult, or boring. Think of it like saying 'It's a killer' or 'It's torture' in English.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: muerte

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'muerte' to mean a specific, countable event?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

morir(to die) - verb
muerto(dead) - adjective
mortal(mortal, deadly) - adjective
mortalidad(mortality) - noun
moribundo(dying) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'muerte' and 'muerto'?

Great question! 'Muerte' is a noun, meaning 'death' (the concept or an event). 'Muerto' is usually an adjective meaning 'dead'. So you talk about 'la muerte' (death), but a person 'está muerto' (is dead).

Why is 'muerte' feminine ('la muerte') if it ends in '-e'?

You've spotted one of Spanish's tricky parts! While many words ending in '-o' are masculine and '-a' are feminine, words ending in '-e' can be either. 'Muerte' is one you just have to memorize as feminine. Luckily, it's so common you'll get used to saying 'la muerte' very quickly!