Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| fiesta | /ˈfjesta/ | feminine |
| reventón | /rebenˈton/ | masculine |
| pachanga | /paˈt͡ʃanɡa/ | feminine |
| carrete | /kaˈrete/ | masculine |
| guateque | /ɡwaˈteke/ | masculine |
| sarao | /saˈɾao/ | masculine |
| festichola | /festiˈt͡ʃola/ | feminine |
| fiestoca | /fjestoka/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| chonguenga | /t͡ʃonˈɡenɡa/ | feminine |
| parranda | /paˈranda/ | feminine |
| cachupinada | /kat͡ʃupinada/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
The term fiesta is the most common and neutral way to refer to a social gathering. While it usually means a social party, it can also refer to a public festival or a religious celebration. Related verbs for the act of partying include divertirse, fiestar and fiestear.
Which one should you use?
fiesta is the neutral, standard term, whereas reventón is an informal way to describe a particularly large or wild party. If you are referring to a formal celebration, you might use celebración. In Latin America, the slang term pachanga describes a lively, energetic party.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal context, use celebración to mean a celebration. For a standard, neutral setting, use fiesta. For informal or wild settings, use reventón or the informal verb fiestear to describe the act of partying. The term carrete is a colloquial way to say party.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chile, the colloquial term carrete is used for a party. The slang term pachanga is used in Latin America for energetic parties.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word fiesta is a feminine noun. Its plural form is fiestas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfjesta/
Did you know?
- The lively term pachanga may have roots in the name of Changó, the Yoruba deity of dance and drumming.
- The word sarao is a stylized version of 'sarau', which was a Portuguese term for a literary or musical salon gathering.
- Depending on the country, saying you are going to a parranda might imply a party specifically involving loud music and singing for hours.
Examples in context
- Fui a su fiesta.I went to her party.This sentence shows how to use fiesta to indicate going to someone's party.Tatoeba #9972829 by manufrutos, translation #7961805 by Amastan
- Fui a esa fiesta.I went to that party.This sentence demonstrates using fiesta to refer to a specific party.Tatoeba #3345956 by Shishir, translation #2547895 by CK
- Se acabó la fiesta.The party is over.This sentence shows how to use fiesta when saying a party has ended.Tatoeba #559914 by Shishir, translation #35626 by CK
- Nos gustaría invitarlo a nuestra fiesta de inauguración.We would like to invite you to our opening party.
- La celebración de aniversario de la empresa será el próximo viernes.The company anniversary celebration will be next Friday.
- ¡Vamos a hacer una pachanga en mi casa el sábado!Let's have a party at my place on Saturday!
- Anoche tuvimos un festejo sorpresa para Juan.Last night, we had a surprise party for Juan.
- El pueblo entero se reúne para el jolgorio de la fiesta patronal.The whole town gathers for the joyous celebration of the patron saint's party.
- 661 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about an upcoming weekend event.
- Sofía¿Vas a venir a mi fiesta el sábado?Are you coming to my party on Saturday?
- JavierSí, me encantaría ir a tu fiesta.Yes, I would love to go to your party.
- Sofía¡Genial! Habrá mucha comida y música.Great! There will be lots of food and music.
- JavierPerfecto, nos vemos allí entonces.Perfect, I'll see you there then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “party” translations and entries fiesta, reventón, pachanga, carrete, guateque, sarao, festichola, chonguenga, parranda, 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 carrete, fiesta, pachanga, reventón, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
