fechas especiales
/fet͡ʃas espeθjales/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'special dates' is translated into Spanish as fechas especiales.
While fechas especiales refers to special dates, there are specific phrases used for common celebrations. To wish someone a Happy Birthday, use Feliz cumpleaños. For Happy holidays, use Felices fiestas and to wish someone a Happy anniversary, use Feliz aniversario. You can also use ¡Mucha suerte! to say 'Good luck!'
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you are in an informal setting, you can use the shortened version ¡Feliz cumple! instead of the full Feliz cumpleaños to say 'Happy birthday!'
How do you pronounce it?
/fetʃas espeθjales/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the most important 'special date' for a young woman is her Quinceañera, her fifteenth birthday. This transition to adulthood is celebrated with a massive party and a formal gown, far exceeding the scale of a typical 'sweet sixteen'.
- In Spain, the 'special date' of El Día de los Reyes Magos on January 6th is often more important for children's gifts than Christmas Day. Children leave their shoes out for the Three Wise Men to fill with presents.
- The term fecha shares its roots with the Latin 'factum', meaning 'something done', which is the same root found in the English word 'fact'.
Examples in context
- Le deseo un feliz cumpleaños a mi jefe.I wish my boss a happy birthday.
- Reciba usted mis mejores deseos en su cumpleaños.Receive my best wishes on your birthday.
- Les deseamos felices fiestas a todos nuestros clientes.We wish our clients happy holidays.
- Enviamos nuestros mejores deseos en su aniversario de bodas.We send our best wishes on your wedding anniversary.
- Te deseo el mejor cumple de todos.I wish you the best birthday ever.
- Les deseamos felices celebraciones a todos. ¡Disfruten de este día especial!We wish everyone happy celebrations. Enjoy this special day!
- Te deseo un feliz aniversario lleno de amor y alegría.I wish you a happy anniversary full of love and joy.
- Me encanta celebrar fechas especiales.I love celebrating special dates.
- Tenemos que recordar las fechas especiales.We have to remember the special dates.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are discussing their upcoming calendar year.
- SofíaDaniel, ¿anotaste las fechas especiales de este año?Daniel, did you write down this year's special dates?
- DanielSí, Sofía, ya las tengo en mi agenda.Yes, Sofía, I already have them in my planner.
- SofíaPerfecto, así no olvidaremos nada.Perfect, that way we won't forget anything.
- DanielEs importante para nosotros.It is important for us.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fechas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
