Día de Muertos
Day of the Dead
A friend explains how her family celebrates Day of the Dead and invites you over.
Tap play to hear each line spoken with a real Mexican accent.
Rodrigo sets down two coffees and smiles.
Oye, ¿tienes planes para el dos de noviembre?
Hey, do you have plans for the second of November?
Aún no. Me encantaría hacer algo tradicional ese día.
Nothing yet. I'd love to do something traditional that day.
He leans in excitedly.
¡Qué bueno! Porque en mi casa montamos un altar enorme. ¿Te animas?
That's great! Because at home we set up a huge altar. Want to come?
¡Claro! Me encantaría. ¿Qué llevo?
Of course! I'd love it. What should I bring?
He thinks for a moment.
Trae pan de muerto si puedes. Le ponemos las comidas favoritas de los difuntos.
Bring some pan de muerto if you can. We put the favorite foods of our dead loved ones on it.
Va. Cuéntame, ¿qué significa el altar exactamente?
Got it. Tell me, what does the altar mean exactly?
He lights up explaining.
Es para que vengan a visitarnos. Le ponemos su foto, velas y flores de cempasúchil.
It's so they come visit us. We put their photo, candles, and cempasúchil flowers.
Qué bonito. O sea, aunque ya no estén, los siguen teniendo presentes.
How beautiful. So even though they're gone, you keep them present.
Her eyes get a little misty.
Así es. Mi abuela siempre decía que mientras los recordemos, no se van del todo.
That's right. My grandma always said that as long as we remember them, they don't really leave.
Qué idea tan poderosa. De donde vengo, no tenemos nada parecido.
What a powerful idea. Where I'm from, we don't have anything like it.
He smiles warmly.
Pues vente, ya verás qué padre. Llega a las seis, a mi familia le encantaría conocerte.
Then come, you'll see how nice it is. Come at six, my family would love to meet you.
Sería un honor. Llevo pan de muerto y un mezcal para la ofrenda.
It would be an honor. I'll bring pan de muerto and mezcal for the altar.
Key Vocabulary
Planes
Plans
Noviembre
November
Altar / ofrenda
Altar / offering
Te animas
Are you in?
Pan de muerto
Bread of the dead
Difuntos
Deceased
Para que
So that
Cempasúchil
Marigold flower
Mientras los recordemos
As long as we remember
No se van del todo
They don't fully leave
Vente
Come over
Le encantaría
Would love
Keep practicing
Hablando con el portero
Talking to the Doorman
Chat with your building's doorman about a package and a visitor.
Pidiendo Café
Ordering Coffee
Learn to order your favourite coffee at a local café.
Pidiendo Tacos
Ordering Tacos
Order street tacos like a local at a Mexico City taquería.
Comprando Fruta
Buying Fruits
Buy fresh fruit at a market like a local.
Now say it out loud
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