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"Los difuntos" is a form of "difunto", an adjective which is often translated as "deceased". "Los muertos" is a form of "muerto", an adjective which is often translated as "dead". Learn more about the difference between "los difuntos" and "los muertos" below.
difunto(
dee
-
foon
-
toh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (dead)
a. deceased
El artista hace figuras de músicos difuntos para adornar los altares de muertos.The artist makes figures of deceased musicians to decorate Day of the Dead altars.
La familia del paciente difunto está demandando al hospital donde murió.The family of the deceased patient is suing the hospital where he died.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
a. deceased
El alcalde dio sus condolencias a la familia del difunto.The mayor offered his condolences to the family of the deceased.
los difuntos
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
3. (general)
a. deceased
Nos hemos reunido para honrar a los difuntos, pero también para encontrar consuelo en el Señor a pesar del dolor.We have got together to honor the deceased, but also to find comfort in our Lord in spite of our grief.
b. departed
A continuación, rezaremos una oración por los difuntos.We will now say a prayer for the departed.
muerto(
mwehr
-
toh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. dead
Aunque mi autora preferida está muerta, siento que la conozco a través de sus cuentos.Although my favorite author is dead, I feel like I know her through her stories.
Fueron a rescatar el pájaro, pero ya estaba muerto.They went to rescue the bird, but it was already dead.
2. (colloquial) (tired)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
b. dead (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Hoy fue un arduo día de trabajo. Estoy muerto.Today was a hard day at work. I'm dead.
c. pooped (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
Los niños están muertos después de jugar en la playa todo el día.The kids are pooped after playing at the beach all day.
d. knackered (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¿Por qué estás tan muerta? ¿Qué has estado haciendo?Why are you so knackered? What have you been doing?
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
3. (corpse)
