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How to Say "ancestors" in Spanish

English → Spanish

antepasados

/ahn-teh-pah-SAH-dohs//antepaˈsaðos/

nounA2general
Use 'antepasados' to refer to family members from previous generations, often with a focus on their migration or historical presence.
A row of framed portraits on a wall showing a great-grandfather, a grandfather, and a father in a consistent style.

Examples

Mis antepasados vinieron de España en el siglo diecinueve.

My ancestors came from Spain in the nineteenth century.

Debemos respetar las tradiciones de nuestros antepasados.

We must respect the traditions of our ancestors.

Ella está investigando a sus antepasados para hacer su árbol genealógico.

She is researching her ancestors to make her family tree.

Always Plural

While 'antepasado' can be used in the singular to mean one ancestor, you will almost always hear it in the plural form ('antepasados') because it usually refers to a whole group of people from your family tree.

Gendered Plurals

Even though this word ends in '-os' (masculine), it refers to both your male and female ancestors combined.

Using 'antiguos'

Mistake: “Mis antiguos vivían aquí.”

Correction: Mis antepasados vivían aquí.

ancestros

/an-SESS-trohs//anˈsestɾos/

nounB1general
Choose 'ancestros' for a general term referring to your family lineage or the collective group of people from whom you are descended.
A large, ancient oak tree with deep, visible roots and many branches, representing a family lineage.

Examples

Mis ancestros llegaron a este país hace cien años.

My ancestors arrived in this country a hundred years ago.

Es importante conocer la cultura de nuestros ancestros.

It is important to know the culture of our ancestors.

Ella siente una conexión profunda con sus ancestros.

She feels a deep connection with her ancestors.

Always Masculine

Even if you are talking about female relatives in your past, the word 'ancestros' is always masculine. You use 'los' and 'nuestros' with it.

Usually Plural

While 'ancestro' exists, we almost always use this word in the plural because we are usually talking about a whole group of people from the past.

Ancestros vs. Antiguos

Mistake: “Using 'antiguos' to mean ancestors.”

Correction: Use 'ancestros' for family lineage. 'Antiguos' usually refers to 'ancient people' in a general historical sense (like the Ancient Greeks), not your specific family tree.

antiguos

/an-TEE-gwos//anˈtiɣwos/

nounB2formal, poetic
Employ 'antiguos' in formal or literary contexts when referring to people from ancient times or a distant past, often emphasizing their legacy.
Two stylized figures wearing simple white togas standing next to a classical marble column, representing the ancients.

Examples

Los antiguos nos dejaron un gran legado arquitectónico.

The ancients left us a great architectural legacy.

Debemos aprender de los errores de nuestros antiguos.

We must learn from the mistakes of our ancestors.

Adjective to Noun

In Spanish, you can often turn an adjective (like 'antiguo') into a noun (like 'los antiguos') by placing an article (like 'los') in front of it. This means 'the old ones' or 'the people who are ancient.'

Confusing 'Ancestros' and 'Antepasados'

Learners often wonder if 'ancestros' or 'antepasados' is the correct choice. While both refer to previous generations, 'antepasados' can sometimes feel more specific to direct family lines, especially when discussing migration or historical events.

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