Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say holidays in Spanish! Whether you’re planning a trip to a Spanish-speaking country or simply want to expand your language skills, learning how to talk about holidays is essential. In this guide, we will provide you with formal and informal ways to express holidays in Spanish, as well as some tips, examples, and regional variations to enhance your understanding. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Holidays
If you want to express holidays politely or in a more formal setting, here are some useful phrases and vocabulary to remember:
1. “El día festivo” – The Holiday
Using “el día festivo” is a common way to refer to holidays, particularly when talking about specific dates or events.
“El día festivo en España es el 1 de enero.” (The holiday in Spain is on January 1st.)
2. “Las vacaciones” – The Vacation
While “las vacaciones” primarily means “vacation,” it can also be used to talk about holidays in a broader sense.
“Voy a tomar mis vacaciones en agosto.” (I’m going to take my vacation in August.)
3. “El feriado” – The Public Holiday
In some Spanish-speaking countries, “el feriado” is used to refer to public holidays when offices, schools, and government institutions are closed.
“Mañana es el feriado nacional.” (Tomorrow is the national holiday.)
Informal Ways to Say Holidays
If you are in a casual setting or conversing with friends and family, you can use these more informal expressions:
1. “La fiesta” – The Party
“La fiesta” is commonly used to refer to holidays in a fun and lighthearted manner, especially when there’s a festive atmosphere.
“¡Vamos a celebrar la fiesta de Navidad juntos!” (Let’s celebrate Christmas party together!)
2. “El día de fiesta” – The Day of Celebration
This expression is similar to “la fiesta” but emphasizes the joyous aspect of the holiday.
“¡Qué bien! Mañana es el día de fiesta.” (Great! Tomorrow is the day of celebration.)
3. “El descanso” – The Break
While primarily meaning “break” or “rest,” “el descanso” is often used informally when referring to holidays as time off.
“¡Por fin llegaron los días de descanso!” (Finally, the days off have arrived!)
Common Holiday Vocabulary
Expanding your holiday-related vocabulary is essential to communicate fluently. Here’s a list of words frequently associated with holidays:
- La Navidad – Christmas
- Año Nuevo – New Year
- El Día de Acción de Gracias – Thanksgiving
- La Semana Santa – Easter
- La Pascua – Easter
- La Nochevieja – New Year’s Eve
- El Día de los Muertos – Day of the Dead
- El Halloween – Halloween
- El Día de la Independencia – Independence Day
- El Carnaval – Carnival
Regional Variations
While Spanish is spoken in various countries, some regional variations exist regarding the vocabulary used for holidays. Here are a few examples:
Spain
In Spain, they often use “las vacaciones” when referring to holidays. However, certain holidays have unique regional names:
- Las Fallas – The Fallas (Valencia’s famous festival)
- La Feria de Abril – April Fair (a traditional festival in Seville)
- El Día de San Juan – Saint John’s Day (Midsummer celebration)
Mexico
Mexico has its local names for some holidays. For example:
- El Día de los Muertos – Day of the Dead
- El Día de la Constitución – Constitution Day
- El Grito de la Independencia – Cry of Independence (Mexican Independence Day)
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of our guide on how to say holidays in Spanish. Remember to adapt your expressions based on the formality of the situation or the people you’re talking to. Whether you’re discussing el día festivo formally or getting ready for la fiesta with friends, these phrases and vocabulary will help you confidently communicate about holidays. ¡Buena suerte y feliz día festivo! (Good luck and happy holiday!)
