confeti
/konˈfeti/masculine
The English word "confetti" is translated into Spanish as confeti. Wiktionary also lists chaya and mistura.
Meaning: small pieces of colored paper generally thrown about at festive occasions (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| confeti | /konˈfeti/ | masculine |
| chaya | /ˈt͡ʃaʝa/ | feminine |
| mistura | /mistuɾa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
Spanish speakers use the word confeti to refer to the small pieces of colored paper typically thrown during festive occasions and celebrations.
Which one should you use?
confeti is the standard term, while chaya and mistura are alternative forms. chaya is a colloquial term, whereas mistura is a feminine noun used to describe the same thing.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
confeti is the standard word suitable for most situations. chaya is a colloquial or slang term.
Is it said differently in some regions?
chaya is a colloquial term used in certain regions.
How does it change in a sentence?
confeti is a masculine noun, so it is used with the masculine article el (e.g., el confeti).
How do you pronounce it?
/konˈfeti/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word confeti is actually a 'pseudo-Italianism' borrowed from French. It comes from the Italian word for 'confections' or sweets, which were thrown during carnivals before paper took their place.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, particularly during Carnival, confeti is not just thrown but is often mixed with streamers called serpentinas to create a more chaotic festive atmosphere.
- The term mistura is used in some regions to describe the colorful mix of paper, reflecting the word's root meaning of 'mixture' rather than just the material itself.
Examples in context
- ¡No te olvides de comprar confeti para la fiesta de cumpleaños!Don't forget to buy confetti for the birthday party!
- Decidimos hacer algunos pétalos de papel para arrojar durante la bodaWe decided to make some paper petals to throw during the wedding.
- El confeti cayó sobre la multitud.The confetti fell over the crowd.
- Compré mucho confeti para la fiesta.I bought a lot of confetti for the party.
- Hay confeti de colores en el suelo.There is colored confetti on the floor.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are cleaning up after a celebration.
- Javier¿Puedes ayudarme a recoger el confeti?Can you help me pick up the confetti?
- ElenaSí, Javier, lo haré ahora mismo.Yes, Javier, I will do it right now.
- JavierEs un poco difícil de limpiar.It is a little difficult to clean up.
- ElenaPero la fiesta estuvo muy divertida.But the party was very fun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “confetti” translations and entries confeti, chaya, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chaya, confeti, CC BY-SA 4.0.
