How to Say "casualty" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “casualty” is “víctima” — use 'víctima' for any person who suffers harm, injury, or death as a result of an accident, crime, or disaster.
víctima
Examples
La víctima del atraco salió ilesa.
The victim of the robbery escaped unharmed.
muerto
MWER-tohˈmweɾto
Examples
El número de muertos en el derrumbe sigue aumentando.
The number of dead in the collapse continues to rise.
El accidente de tráfico dejó dos muertos y varios heridos.
The traffic accident left two dead (people) and several injured.
El Día de los Muertos es una celebración importante en México.
The Day of the Dead is an important celebration in Mexico.
Encontraron a un muerto en el río.
They found a dead person in the river.
'Los muertos' = 'The Dead'
When you use 'muerto' with 'el', 'la', 'los', or 'las', it acts as a noun. 'Los muertos' is a common way to refer to 'the dead' as a group.
herido
eh-REE-doheˈri.ðo
Examples
Los heridos fueron trasladados al hospital más cercano.
The injured were transferred to the nearest hospital.
Los servicios de emergencia atendieron a los heridos del accidente.
The emergency services attended to the injured people from the accident.
Solo hubo un herido leve en el choque de coches.
There was only one lightly injured person in the car crash.
Using the Adjective as a Noun
In Spanish, you can often turn an adjective describing a state into a noun referring to the person who is in that state. 'El herido' is 'the injured man'; 'la herida' is 'the injured woman'.
baja
BA-haˈbaxa
Examples
Hay tres bajas en el equipo por lesión.
There are three absences from the team due to injury.
Mi colega está de baja por maternidad.
My colleague is on maternity leave.
El médico me dio la baja por una semana.
The doctor gave me sick leave for a week.
El ejército reportó cinco bajas en el combate.
The army reported five casualties in the combat.
caído
Examples
Se erigió un monumento en honor a los caídos.
A monument was erected in honor of the fallen.
siniestro
see-nee-ESS-trohsiˈnjestɾo
Examples
El coche sufrió un grave siniestro el mes pasado.
The car suffered a serious accident last month.
El seguro no cubrirá el siniestro si el conductor estaba bebido.
The insurance won't cover the accident if the driver was drunk.
Tras el incendio, el edificio fue declarado siniestro total.
After the fire, the building was declared a total loss.
Hubo varios siniestros en la carretera debido a la lluvia.
There were several accidents on the road due to the rain.
Always Masculine
When used as a noun meaning 'accident,' it is always masculine: 'el siniestro'.
Formal vs. Informal
Mistake: “Saying 'tuve un siniestro' to a friend.”
Correction: While correct, it sounds very 'insurance-speak.' Say 'tuve un accidente' in casual conversation.
pérdida
per-DEE-dahpeɾˈðiða
Examples
La operación resultó en una considerable pérdida de vidas.
The operation resulted in a considerable loss of lives.
La compañía reportó una gran pérdida este trimestre.
The company reported a great loss this quarter.
Una sola pérdida de tiempo puede arruinar el proyecto.
A single loss (waste) of time can ruin the project.
La pérdida de vidas fue lamentable en aquel desastre.
The loss of life was regrettable in that disaster.
Using the Article
When used as a noun, 'pérdida' (with an accent) often uses the definite article 'la' (la pérdida) and usually refers to an abstract concept of loss or a measurable amount lost.
People vs. Events
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.