Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Semana Santa | /seˌmana ˈsanta/ | feminine |
| Semana de Turismo | /seˌmana de tuˈɾismo/ |
Semana Santa refers to the week preceding Easter. In religious contexts, you may encounter related terms such as procesión (procession), vía crucis (Stations of the Cross) and paso (the religious image or float carried during a procession).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Semana Santa is composed of semana, meaning "week" and santa, meaning "holy".
Which one should you use?
While Semana Santa is the standard term, you may hear the colloquial and often sarcastic expression Semana de Turismo. This is used in areas where the holiday is perceived to be more focused on commercial travel and tourism than on religious observance.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a feminine noun phrase, Semana Santa is preceded by the feminine definite article la when referring to "the Holy Week".
How do you pronounce it?
/seˌmana ˈsanta/
When do people say it?
In many Spanish-speaking countries, especially in Spain, Semana Santa is characterized by public religious processions. These involve brotherhoods (cofradías) carrying pasos (floats or religious images) through the streets.
Did you know?
- During Semana Santa in Spain, some participants wear a capirote, a tall conical hat designed to hide the wearer's identity as a sign of penance.
- The massive floats seen during Semana Santa are moved by costaleros, specialized carriers who support the immense weight entirely on their necks and shoulders.
- The word semana shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'seven', as both stem from the Latin 'septimānus' meaning 'related to the seventh'.
Examples in context
- La ciudad de Sevilla está siendo forzada a cancelar sus procesiones anuales de Semana Santa.The city of Seville is being forced to cancel its annual holy week processions.This sentence illustrates the cancellation of annual Semana Santa processions.Tatoeba #10046610 by manufrutos, translation #8616880 by Hybrid
- La ciudad de Sevilla está siendo forzada a cancelar sus procesiones anuales de Semana Santa, sus famosas corridas de toros y sus ferias de caballos con un coste de unos quinientos millones de dólares, una cantidad que algunos temen que pueda llevar a la quiebra a la región sureña de Andalucía.The city of Seville is being forced to cancel its annual holy week processions, famous bull fights and horse fairs at a cost of about $500 million – a sum that some fear could bankrupt the southern region of Andalusia.This sentence provides more detail about the economic impact of cancelling Semana Santa processions and other local events.Tatoeba #10046608 by manufrutos, translation #8616881 by Hybrid
- Durante la Semana Santa, las iglesias están llenas de fieles.During Holy Week, churches are filled with the faithful.
- Vamos a asistir a la procesión de Semana Santa en la catedral.We are going to attend the Holy Week procession at the cathedral.
- En mi país, la Semana Santa es una celebración muy esperada.In my country, Holy Week is a highly anticipated celebration.
- Muchos hoteles están llenos durante la Semana Santa.Many hotels are full during Holy Week.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their upcoming travel plans.
- Javier¿Vas a viajar en Semana Santa?Are you traveling during Holy Week?
- MaríaNo, me quedo en casa este año.No, I am staying home this year.
- JavierEs una lástima, es un buen momento para descansar.It's a shame, it's a good time to rest.
- MaríaSí, pero prefiero evitar las multitudes.Yes, but I prefer to avoid the crowds.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “holy week” translations and entries Semana Santa, Semana de Turismo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Semana Santa, Semana de Turismo, de, santa, semana, turismo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
