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 most common and widely understood term for 'party' in Spanish is fiesta. If you want to describe the act of going out and partying, you can use the informal verb fiestear.
Which one should you use?
fiesta is the standard, most common word for a party and can be used in any context. In contrast, reventón is an informal term often used to describe a particularly large or wild party.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
carrete is a colloquial term, while reventón, pachanga, parranda and guateque are informal. Other specific forms include sarao, festichola, fiestoca, chonguenga and cachupinada.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Regional variations include carrete, which is used primarily in Chile. In parts of Latin America, particularly in the Dominican Republic and some Caribbean islands, guateque is a commonly used term to describe a lively and informal gathering and parranda is primarily used in parts of Latin America, especially in the Caribbean, to describe a merry gathering. In Latin America, pachanga is a popular term to refer to a lively party or celebration, while in Spain, the informal term jolgorio is more commonly used to describe a festive and joyful gathering.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of fiesta is fiestas. The plural form of reventón is reventones.
How do you pronounce it?
{/ˈfjesta/}
Did you know?
- Some linguists suggest that the lively term pachanga may actually be a tribute to Changó, the Yoruba deity of dance and drumming.
- In some contexts, fiesta can refer to a religious holiday or a town's annual patron saint festival rather than a private party.
- In the Caribbean, a parranda is not just any party, but specifically a merry and often wandering gathering.
Examples in context
- Fui a su fiesta.I went to her party.This sentence is useful for showing how to use fiesta to indicate possession.Tatoeba #9972829 by manufrutos, translation #7961805 by Amastan
- Fui a esa fiesta.I went to that party.This sentence is useful for showing how to use fiesta to indicate a specific party.Tatoeba #3345956 by Shishir, translation #2547895 by CK
- Se acabó la fiesta.The party is over.This sentence is useful for showing how to use fiesta to say the event has ended.Tatoeba #559914 by Shishir, translation #35626 by CK
- Vamos a celebrar una gran fiesta en mi casa.We are going to throw a big party at my house.
- El departamento de marketing está organizando una fiesta de fin de año.The marketing department is organizing an end-of-year party.
- ¿Vas a venir a la pachanga del sábado?Are you coming to Saturday's party?
- Ayer tuvimos una pachanga increíble en la playa.We had an amazing party at the beach yesterday.
- ¡Qué jolgorio se vivió en la boda de Marta y Juan!What a festive atmosphere there was at Marta and Juan's wedding!
- Los españoles son conocidos por su amor al jolgorio y las celebraciones.The Spanish are known for their love of merrymaking and celebrations.
- Las parrandas navideñas son muy tradicionales en Puerto Rico.Christmas caroling parties are very traditional in Puerto Rico.
- Organizaremos una parranda sorpresa para el cumpleaños de Ana.We will organize a surprise party for Ana's birthday.
- Esta noche vamos a disfrutar de una rumba en el club local.Tonight, we are going to enjoy a party at the local club.
- En los guateques, danzamos hasta el amanecer.At the guateques, we dance until dawn.
- El viernes, habrá un guateque en el pueblo.There will be a lively gathering in town on Friday.
- 661 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are talking about a birthday event.
- JavierElena, ¿vas a la fiesta de cumpleaños?Elena, are you going to the birthday party?
- ElenaSí, Javier, me encantaría ir.Yes, Javier, I would love to go.
- JavierLa fiesta empieza a las ocho.The party starts at eight.
- ElenaPerfecto, nos vemos allí entonces.Perfect, I will 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.
