Inklingo

How to Say "funeral" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word forfuneralis funeraluse 'funeral' when referring to the ceremony or service that honors the deceased..

English → Spanish

funeral

foo-neh-RAHL/fu.neˈɾal/

nounA1general
Use 'funeral' when referring to the ceremony or service that honors the deceased.
A group of people dressed in dark clothing standing solemnly around a wooden coffin adorned with white flowers.

Examples

El funeral se celebrará en la iglesia principal.

The funeral will be held in the main church.

Llevaba ropa negra para asistir al funeral.

She wore black clothes to attend the funeral.

Los gastos funerales fueron muy altos.

The funeral expenses were very high.

La procesión funeral pasó por la calle principal.

The funeral procession passed down the main street.

Masculine Noun

Remember that 'funeral' is always masculine in Spanish, even though it ends in 'L'. You must use the masculine article: 'el funeral'.

Invariable Adjective

When used as an adjective, 'funeral' always keeps its '-al' ending, whether it describes a masculine ('gastos funerales') or feminine ('procesión funeral') noun.

Using the Wrong Article

Mistake:La funeral.

Correction: El funeral. (The ceremony is masculine in Spanish.)

Confusing Noun and Adjective

Mistake:Compramos la casa funeral.

Correction: Compramos la casa fúnebre. (Using the adjective 'fúnebre' is much more natural when describing things associated with death.)

entierro

/en-TYEH-rroh//enˈtje.ro/

nounB1general
Use 'entierro' specifically when referring to the act or ceremony of burying the body.
A wooden casket being lowered into a rectangular hole in a green grassy field.

Examples

El entierro será mañana a las diez en el cementerio central.

The burial will be tomorrow at ten in the central cemetery.

Cuenta la leyenda que hay un entierro de oro bajo ese árbol.

Legend has it there is a buried treasure of gold under that tree.

Word Roots

Notice that 'entierro' has the word 'tierra' (earth/dirt) inside it. This helps you remember it means putting something into the earth.

One 'r' vs. Two

Mistake:entiero

Correction: entierro (with a double 'rr'). Spanish needs the double 'rr' for that strong rolling sound between vowels.

funeral

adjectiveB1general
Use 'funerales' (plural) as an adjective to describe expenses or matters related to a funeral ceremony.

Examples

Los gastos funerales fueron muy altos.

The funeral expenses were very high.

Funeral vs. Entierro

The most common mistake is using 'entierro' when you mean the entire ceremony, not just the burial. While 'entierro' focuses on the act of putting the body in the ground, 'funeral' refers to the broader service or event.

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