Spain is well know for its fiestas and festivals. Being able to talk about culture and customs will help you communicate with locals and improve your language skills.
Spain is well-known for its fiestas and festivals. Almost every city, town and village has its own festival of some kind, which is usually a big street party for all the residents.
Some festivals are famous all over the world, such as the fireworks of Las Fallas, in Valencia, and the tomato throwing at La Tomatina.
Here are some useful verbs to use when talking about celebrations:
brindar | to toast |
celebrar | to celebrate |
decorar | to decorate |
disfrazarse | to dress up |
regalar | to give a present |
As in the UK, Christmas and New Year are big celebrations for many people. Here is some useful vocabulary to get started talking about them:
el Año Nuevo | New Year |
el árbol de Navidad | Christmas tree |
la costumbre | custom/tradition |
los fuegos artificiales | fireworks |
el día festivo | public holiday/bank holiday |
la fiesta | party/festival |
la Navidad | Christmas |
la Nochebuena | Christmas Eve |
la Nochevieja | New Year's Eve |
Papá Noel | Father Christmas |
la tradición | tradition |
el villancico | Christmas carol |
el Belén | Nativity scene |
el día de los Santos Inocentes | similar to 'April Fools' Day, celebrated on the 28th December |
el día de Reyes | Kings' Day/Epiphany, celebrated on the 6th of January |
los Reyes Magos | 3 Wise Men |
el día de Navidad | Christmas Day |
el día de Año Nuevo | New Years' Day |
las luces | lights |
Feliz Navidad | Happy Christmas |
Feliz Año Nuevo | Happy New Year |
el turrón | typical sweet Christmas delicacy |
la Misa del Gallo | midnight mass |
los regalos | presents |
la lotería de Navidad | typical Christmas lottery celebrated on the 22nd of December, which indicates the beginning of the Christmas Season in Spain |