Inklingo

tumba

TOOM-bahˈtumba

tumba means grave in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

grave, tombAlso: sepulchre

NounfA2
A solitary headstone stands on a small, green grassy mound under a bright sky, representing a grave.

📝 In Action

Fueron al cementerio a visitar la tumba de su tía.

A2

They went to the cemetery to visit their aunt's grave.

La arqueóloga descubrió una tumba antigua llena de tesoros.

B1

The archaeologist discovered an ancient tomb full of treasures.

Escribieron un mensaje emotivo en la lápida de la tumba.

B2

They wrote an emotional message on the tombstone of the grave.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • sepulcro (sepulchre)
  • fosa (pit, grave)

Common Collocations

  • piedra sepulcral / lápidatombstone
  • dar con la tumbato find the grave

Idioms & Expressions

  • cavar su propia tumbato create one's own downfall

knocks down, throws downAlso: knock over

VerbB1regular ar
A cheerful cartoon figure is shown actively pushing a tall tower of brightly colored wooden blocks, causing them to tumble down.
infinitivetumbar
gerundtumbando
past Participletumbado

📝 In Action

El boxeador tumba a su oponente en el primer asalto.

B1

The boxer knocks down his opponent in the first round.

Si no lo sujetas bien, el viento tumba el cartel.

B2

If you don't hold it well, the wind knocks over the sign.

¡Tumba esa pared! Necesitamos más espacio.

B1

Knock down that wall! We need more space. (Formal command)

Word Connections

Synonyms

Indicative

Present

yotumbo
tumbas
él/ella/ustedtumba
nosotrostumbamos
vosotrostumbáis
ellos/ellas/ustedestumban

Imperfect

yotumbaba
tumbabas
él/ella/ustedtumbaba
nosotrostumbábamos
vosotrostumbabais
ellos/ellas/ustedestumbaban

Preterite

yotumbé
tumbaste
él/ella/ustedtumbó
nosotrostumbamos
vosotrostumbasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedestumbaron

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

yotumbe
tumbes
él/ella/ustedtumbe
nosotrostumbemos
vosotrostumbéis
ellos/ellas/ustedestumben

Imperfect Subjunctive

yotumbara/tumbase
tumbaras/tumbases
él/ella/ustedtumbara/tumbase
nosotrostumbáramos/tumbásemos
vosotrostumbaráis/tumbaseis
ellos/ellas/ustedestumbaran/tumbasen

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "tumba" in Spanish:

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: tumba

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'tumba' as a noun?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
rumbacurva
📚 Etymology

The noun 'tumba' comes from the Latin word *tumba*, which itself traces back to ancient Greek *túmbos*, meaning 'mound' or 'burial chamber.'

First recorded: Medieval Spanish

Cognates (Related words)

English: tombFrench: tombe

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'tumba' and 'tumbo'?

'Tumba' is the feminine noun meaning 'grave' OR the verb form for 'he/she/it knocks down.' 'Tumbo' is the verb form for 'I knock down' (yo tumbo).

Does 'tumba' have any informal or slang meanings?

While the noun 'tumba' is standard, the verb 'tumbar' (from which 'tumba' is derived) is often used informally to mean 'to defeat,' 'to fail' (an exam), or 'to put to sleep.'