25 de diciembre
December 25th in Spanish is 25 de diciembre.
This phrase refers to the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month of the year. In Spanish, the structure follows a [number] + de + [month] pattern, which differs from the English structure of Month + Ordinal Number.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are referring to a specific date within a sentence, you must use the definite article el before the number. If you are referring to multiple occurrences of December 25th, the phrase becomes Los veinticinco de diciembre.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly capitalize the month in Spanish. While you might see Diciembre capitalized in some contexts, the month should be lowercase: diciembre.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the main celebration for the season occurs on 24 de diciembre rather than 25 de diciembre. Families often gather for a late-night feast called Nochebuena on the eve of the date.
- The name diciembre is actually based on the number ten rather than twelve. This is because in the original Roman calendar, the year began in March, making December the tenth month.
- In some Latin American countries, the concept of 25 de diciembre is associated with the Niño Dios or Baby Jesus bringing gifts, rather than a figure like Santa Claus.
Examples in context
- La Navidad es el 25 de Diciembre.Christmas Day is December 25th.This sentence is useful for identifying the date of Christmas Day using 25 de diciembre.Tatoeba #1351483 by marcelostockle, translation #62804 by CK
- El veinticinco de diciembre es una fecha muy especial y significativa para millones de personas alrededor del mundo.December 25th is a very special and meaningful date for millions of people around the world.
- ¿Vas a visitar a tu familia el veinticinco de diciembre?Are you going to visit your family on December 25th?
- Mi cumpleaños es el 25 de diciembre.My birthday is December 25th.
- Nos vemos el 25 de diciembre.We will see each other on December 25th.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are planning a holiday-themed dinner.
- Daniel¿Cuándo es la fiesta?When is the party?
- LucíaEs el 25 de diciembre.It is December 25th.
- Daniel¡Perfecto! Estaré allí.Perfect! I will be there.
- LucíaMuy bien, Daniel.Very well, Daniel.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, diciembre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
