Inklingo
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muertos

/MWER-tohs/

the dead

A festive skeleton figure, representing the dead, wearing a bright purple sombrero and surrounded by vibrant orange marigold flowers, standing on a colorful altar.

As a noun, los muertos refers to the dead, often honored during the vibrant celebrations of Día de los Muertos.

muertos(Noun)

mA2

the dead

?

referring to deceased people

Also:

casualties

?

in an accident or conflict

📝 In Action

En el Día de los Muertos, honramos a nuestros muertos.

A2

On the Day of the Dead, we honor our dead.

El accidente dejó varios muertos y heridos.

B1

The accident left several dead and injured.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • fallecidos (deceased)
  • difuntos (departed)

Antonyms

  • vivos (the living)

Common Collocations

  • Día de los Muertos – Day of the Dead
  • honrar a los muertos – to honor the dead
  • resucitar a los muertos – to raise the dead

Idioms & Expressions

  • caerse de muerto – to be extremely tired, to be dead on one's feet

💡 Grammar Points

Using Adjectives as Nouns

In Spanish, you can often use a descriptive word (an adjective) like a noun by putting 'el', 'la', 'los', or 'las' in front of it. 'Los muertos' literally means 'the dead ones' and is used to talk about people who have passed away.

⭐ Usage Tips

Important Cultural Context

'Los muertos' has a very important cultural meaning in many Spanish-speaking countries, especially Mexico. The 'Día de los Muertos' isn't a sad or scary holiday; it's a vibrant celebration to remember and honor loved ones.

A simple illustration showing a contrast between a vibrant, tall, leafy green tree and an adjacent bare, gray, lifeless tree in a meadow.

As an adjective, muertos describes multiple masculine nouns that are dead or lifeless, such as árboles muertos (dead trees).

muertos(Adjective)

mB1

dead

?

lacking life

Also:

exhausted

?

figurative, very tired

,

numb

?

e.g., limbs

📝 In Action

Encontraron dos árboles muertos en el jardín.

B1

They found two dead trees in the garden.

Los corredores llegaron muertos de cansancio a la meta.

B2

The runners arrived at the finish line dead tired.

Después de caminar todo el día, tengo los pies muertos.

B2

After walking all day, my feet are numb.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • sin vida (lifeless)
  • agotados (exhausted)

Antonyms

  • vivos (alive)

Common Collocations

  • estar muertos de hambre – to be starving (literally, dead from hunger)
  • estar muertos de frío – to be freezing cold
  • ojos muertos – lifeless eyes

💡 Grammar Points

Making Adjectives Agree

Remember that descriptive words in Spanish must match the thing they describe. 'Muertos' is the form you use for multiple masculine things (like 'árboles') or a group of mixed gender. For feminine things, you'd use 'muertas' (e.g., 'plantas muertas').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'

Mistake: "Los árboles son muertos."

Correction: Always use 'estar' to describe the state of being dead: 'Los árboles están muertos.' Think of 'estar' for conditions and states, and being dead is a final state.

⭐ Usage Tips

Figurative Use for Emphasis

Spanish speakers often use 'muerto/a/os/as de...' to exaggerate feelings like hunger, thirst, or tiredness. 'Estamos muertos de hambre' is a very common and natural way to say 'We're starving!'

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: muertos

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'muertos' in a figurative way to mean 'very tired'?

📚 More Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'muertos' related to the verb 'morir' (to die)?

Yes, absolutely! 'Muerto' is the past participle of 'morir'. A past participle is a form of a verb that can often be used as a descriptive word (an adjective). So, something that 'ha muerto' (has died) is now 'muerto' (dead).

Why do I see 'Día de los Muertos' and sometimes 'Día de Muertos'?

Both are correct and widely used, especially in Mexico. 'Día de los Muertos' (Day of the Dead) is very common, while 'Día de Muertos' is also frequently used and can be seen as slightly more traditional. They mean the same thing.