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How to Say "phantoms" in Spanish

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fantasmas

/fahn-TAHS-mahs//fanˈtazmas/

nounA2general
Use 'fantasmas' for general apparitions or ghosts, especially in everyday conversation or when referring to haunted places.
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/

nounB1literary
Use 'espíritus' in a more literary or formal context, often referring to spirits in a broader sense, not just visual apparitions.
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).

General vs. Literary Use

Learners often confuse 'fantasmas' and 'espíritus' by using the more literary 'espíritus' in everyday contexts. For general talk about ghosts or apparitions, 'fantasmas' is almost always the better and more natural choice.

Related Translations

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