Spanish · People & Family
"Widow" in Spanish: viuda
la viuda
Note: widower: el viudo
A widow is la viuda; a widower is el viudo. Both share the stem viud-. Use viuda and viudo carefully; they name a serious status.
How to pronounce viuda: audio and sound guideQuiet introduction
Ella es viuda desde el año pasado.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce viuda
Say it
BYOO-dah
/ˈbju.ða/
BYOO-dah for viuda; BYOO-doh for viudo. In Latin American Spanish the v in viuda is often a soft b.
"Widow" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| la viuda | the widow Feminine noun. | Feminine noun. |
| el viudo | the widower Masculine noun. | Masculine noun. |
| es viuda | she is a widow Status with ser. | Status with ser. |
| viudo reciente | recent widower Sensitive time marker. | Sensitive time marker. |
How to use viuda in real life
- 1Quiet introduction
Ella es viuda desde el año pasado.
She has been a widow since last year.
Es viuda uses ser for identity/status.
- 2Family talk
Mi abuelo quedó viudo hace poco.
My grandfather was left a widower recently.
Quedar viudo is a common pattern.
- 3Form language
La solicitante es viuda.
The applicant is a widow.
Formal paperwork tone.
Mistakes English speakers make with viuda
Incorrect: Él es viuda.
Correct: Él es viudo.
Viuda is for a woman; viudo is for a man.
Incorrect: Ella es widow.
Correct: Ella es viuda.
Use viuda, not English widow.
Good to know
Good to knowViuda and viudo are direct but usually said with respect in Latin America. In warm company people may prefer softer phrasing first, then viuda or viudo if needed.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Helping with a respectful family description
ChatPal
¿Tu tía es viuda?
Is your aunt a widow?
You
Sí, es viuda desde 2020.
Yes, she has been a widow since 2020.
ChatPal
Entiendo. ¿Y tu tío? ¿También es viudo?
I understand. And your uncle—is he a widower too?
You
No, él sigue casado.
No, he is still married.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Widow" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Widow" in Spanish
Widow vs widower?
La viuda / el viudo.
Is viuda feminine?
Yes: la viuda. The man is el viudo.
Ser or estar?
Es viuda / es viudo is the usual status line.
How do you pronounce viuda?
BYOO-dah.
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