Inklingo

How to Say "ghosts" in Spanish

English → Spanish

fantasmas

/fahn-TAHS-mahs//fanˈtazmas/

nounA2supernatural spirits
Use 'fantasmas' for the general and most common term for ghosts, especially when referring to supernatural spirits in a location.
A simple illustration of a classic, friendly white sheet ghost floating against a dark background.

Examples

Dicen que en esa casa antigua hay muchos fantasmas.

They say there are many ghosts in that old house.

Mis hermanos se asustan con las películas de fantasmas.

My siblings get scared by ghost movies.

Gender Trap

Even though 'fantasma' ends in '-a', it is a masculine noun. Always use 'el fantasma' (singular) and 'los fantasmas' (plural), never 'la fantasma'.

Incorrect Article

Mistake: “Las fantasmas salieron del armario.”

Correction: Los fantasmas salieron del armario. (Remember to use the masculine article 'los'.)

espíritus

es-PÍ-ri-tus/esˈpiɾitus/

nounB1apparitions
Use 'espíritus' when referring to apparitions or disembodied souls, often in the context of stories or legends, and it can also refer to spirits more broadly.
Three simple, slightly transparent white ghost shapes floating in a dark, stylized room, representing supernatural entities.

Examples

En la noche de Halloween, la gente cuenta historias de espíritus y fantasmas.

On Halloween night, people tell stories of spirits and ghosts.

Los chamanes creen poder comunicarse con los espíritus de la naturaleza.

Shamans believe they can communicate with the spirits of nature.

Masculine Plural

Even though this word refers to non-physical beings, it is always treated as masculine: 'los espíritus' (the spirits).

Fantasmas vs. Espíritus

Learners often confuse 'fantasmas' and 'espíritus'. While 'fantasmas' is the more common, everyday term for ghosts, 'espíritus' can sometimes refer to a broader concept of spirits or souls, not just spooky apparitions.

Related Translations

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