celebrar
/θeleˈbɾaɾ/
To celebrate in Spanish is celebrar.
celebrar means 'to celebrate', but it is also frequently used to mean 'to hold' or 'to take place' in the context of events, such as celebrar una reunión (to hold a meeting).
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun form of the verb celebrar is celebración. The past participle is celebrado, which is used to form compound tenses like the present perfect (he celebrado).
How do you pronounce it?
/θeleˈbɾaɾ/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, you do not 'celebrate' a birthday by saying celebrar un cumpleaños as often as you cumplir años, which literally means 'to complete years'.
- In certain Spanish-speaking legal contexts, celebrar un contrato is the standard way to say 'to enter into' or 'to execute' a contract.
- Spanish speakers often use the phrase celebrar por todo lo alto to describe a celebration that is particularly lavish or grand.
Examples in context
- Le invitamos a festejar nuestro aniversario de empresa el próximo viernes.We invite you to celebrate our company anniversary next Friday.
- Vamos a festejar tu cumpleaños en mi casa el sábado.We're going to celebrate your birthday at my place on Saturday.
- ¡Qué buen festejo tuvimos anoche en la fiesta!What a great celebration we had last night at the party!
- Él celebra su cumpleaños el próximo mes.He celebrates his birthday next month.
- Vamos a celebrar tu cumpleaños.We are going to celebrate your birthday.
- Queremos celebrar la victoria con música.We want to celebrate the victory with music.
- Debemos celebrar cada pequeño logro.We must celebrate every small achievement.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are discussing their plans for the weekend.
- Sofía¿Quieres celebrar la graduación hoy?Do you want to celebrate the graduation today?
- MateoSí, me gustaría mucho celebrar con mis amigos.Yes, I would really like to celebrate with my friends.
- SofíaPodemos celebrar en un restaurante nuevo.We can celebrate at a new restaurant.
- MateoEs una idea excelente, Sofía.That is an excellent idea, Sofia.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry celebrar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
