otoño
/oˈtoɲo/
The Spanish word for "fall season" is otoño.
You can also use the phrase El otoño to mean "the fall season." For a more descriptive approach that emphasizes the seasonal aspect of the time of year, you may use la estación de otoño.
Which one should you use?
While otoño is the standard way to say 'fall', la estación de otoño is a more descriptive way to refer specifically to the season.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, you may encounter the diminutive form el otoñito, which is used to add an affectionate touch when speaking about the season.
How does it change in a sentence?
otoño is a masculine noun and is typically used with the definite article el, forming el otoño.
How do you pronounce it?
/oˈtoɲo/
Did you know?
- Because of the way the Latin 'w' sound behaved, otoño shares a specific phonetic pattern with the Spanish word for goose, oca.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, otoño is associated with the 'beginning of the end' of the agricultural cycle, often linked to the phrase el tiempo de la cosecha or 'harvest time'.
- While otoño is the standard term, some poetic Spanish texts use estío to create a literary contrast, even though estío actually refers to summer.
Examples in context
- Me encanta el otoñoI love the fall season
- En la estación de otoño, disfrutamos de hermosos paisajesDuring the fall season, we enjoy beautiful landscapes
- El otoño es la estación que más me gustaFall is the season I like the most
- Me encanta el color de las hojas en otoño.I love the color of the leaves in autumn.
- El clima se vuelve más fresco en otoño.The weather becomes cooler in the fall.
- Prefiero el otoño antes que el verano.I prefer autumn over summer.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are walking in a park during a breezy afternoon.
- Javier¿Te gusta caminar por el parque en otoño?Do you like walking through the park in autumn?
- LucíaSí, me gusta mucho la sensación del aire fresco.Yes, I really like the feeling of the fresh air.
- JavierLas hojas están cayendo de los árboles ahora.The leaves are falling from the trees now.
- LucíaEs la parte más bonita de la estación.It is the most beautiful part of the season.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry otoño, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries otoño, CC BY-SA 4.0.
