Natal
neutral
Christmas in Portuguese is Natal. People wish each other Feliz Natal or the broader Boas Festas, "happy holidays".
Meaning: holiday on December 25 (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | Note |
|---|---|
| Natal | neutral |
| Feliz Natal | greeting |
| Boas Festas | greeting |
Boas Festas is widely used on cards because it covers Christmas and New Year.
How does it change in a sentence?
Natal is masculine, so you say o Natal.
When do people say it?
In Portugal the main family meal is a consoada on the night of December 24, with salted cod and boiled potatoes and cabbage. A typical Christmas cake is bolo-rei.
Did you know?
- Many Portuguese families wait until midnight to open the presents after the consoada.
Examples in context
- Feliz Natal para todos!Merry Christmas to everyone!
- Passamos o Natal com a família.We spend Christmas with the family.
- Boas Festas e um bom Ano Novo!Happy holidays and a good New Year!
Example conversation
Filipa and her grandmother Avó Rosa prepare the dinner for December 24 in Aveiro.
- FilipaAvó, o bacalhau já está pronto?Grandma, is the cod ready?
- Avó RosaQuase. Hoje é a consoada.Almost. Today is the consoada.
- FilipaFeliz Natal, avó!Merry Christmas, Grandma!
