árbol de Navidad
/ˌaɾbol de nabiˈdad/masculine
The English phrase 'Christmas tree' is translated into Spanish as árbol de Navidad. Wiktionary also lists árbol navideño and humisha.
Meaning: evergreen tree used as a decoration during the Christmas holiday season (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| árbol de Navidad | /ˌaɾbol de nabiˈdad/ | masculine |
| árbol navideño | /aɾbol nabideɲo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| humisha | /umisa/ (from spelling rules) | Peru, feminine |
The term refers to an evergreen tree used as a decoration during the Christmas holiday season.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase árbol de Navidad literally means 'tree of Christmas'.
Which one should you use?
Árbol de Navidad is the most common and standard way to say 'Christmas tree'. In contrast, árbol navideño is a more descriptive alternative that uses an adjective.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, árbol de Navidad is the most common term. In certain parts of Peru, the term humisha is used to refer to a traditional Christmas tree or a specific type of festive tree.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, you pluralize the noun árbol to árboles while keeping de Navidad unchanged, resulting in los árboles de Navidad.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌaɾbol de nabiˈdad/
Did you know?
- In Peru, a humisha is not just a decoration but often a large tree trunk decorated with ribbons and gifts that people dance around and eventually chop down.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the tradition of the belén or pesebre (nativity scene) is historically more central to the home than the árbol de Navidad.
- The term humisha is derived from indigenous influences in the Amazonian regions of Peru, reflecting a blend of native and colonial traditions.
Examples in context
- ¿Tienes un árbol de Navidad?Do you have a Christmas tree?This sentence is useful for asking if someone owns an árbol de Navidad.Tatoeba #9488894 by dpcossio, translation #7653923 by CK
- Decoremos el árbol de Navidad.Let's decorate the Christmas tree.This sentence is useful for suggesting the decoration of an árbol de Navidad.Tatoeba #2162774 by hayastan, translation #2007313 by CK
- ¡Qué árbol de Navidad tan grande!What a big Christmas tree!This sentence is useful for expressing admiration for a large árbol de Navidad.Tatoeba #9500017 by hayastan, translation #9563967 by DJ_Saidez
- La familia decoró el árbol de Navidad con luces y adornos.The family decorated the Christmas tree with lights and ornaments.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are decorating their living room.
- Lucía¿Dónde pusiste el árbol de Navidad, Mateo?Where did you put the Christmas tree, Mateo?
- MateoLo puse junto a la ventana.I put it next to the window.
- LucíaEl árbol de Navidad se ve muy bien ahí.The Christmas tree looks very good there.
- MateoSí, ahora vamos a decorarlo.Yes, now let's decorate it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “Christmas tree” translations and entries árbol de Navidad, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
