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If you've ever celebrated Cinco de Mayo with tacos and margaritas, you're definitely not alone. But do you know what this holiday is actually about? And as a Spanish learner, did you know it's also a great opportunity to pick up some useful vocabulary and get a closer look at Mexican culture? Today, we'll uncover the real story behind Cinco de Mayo, clear up one of the most common misconceptions about Mexico, and explore the Spanish words and expressions that come with it.
Let's start with the basics. Cinco de Mayo simply means "the fifth of May" in Spanish. Cinco means "five" and mayo means "May." Simple enough!
y falleció el cinco de mayo de mil novecientos doce.
and died on May fifth, nineteen twelve.
Caption 7, Cleer Rafael Pombo y "Pastorcita"
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One small but interesting note for Spanish learners: in Spanish, dates are expressed differently than in English. While in American English we say May 5th, in Spanish the format is reversed — el cinco de mayo (literally, "the five of May"). You'll notice this pattern with all dates in Spanish, and Cinco de Mayo is a great hook for remembering it.
This is the most common misconception about this holiday, so let's set the record straight: No, Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexican Independence Day.
Mexican Independence Day — known as El Día de la Independencia or Fiestas Patrias — is celebrated on September 16 (el dieciséis de septiembre), and it commemorates Mexico's independence from Spain back in 1810. So if you ever hear someone say "¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!" and respond with "¡Viva México!", just know those are actually two very different occasions!
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla (la Batalla de Puebla), which took place on May 5, 1862. Here's the short version:
Mexico was in serious financial trouble. President Benito Juárez had been forced to stop making debt payments to European countries. While Britain and Spain eventually negotiated and pulled out, France — led by Napoleon III — decided to invade Mexico instead.
On May 5, 1862, French troops marched on the city of Puebla. The Mexican army was vastly outnumbered — about 2,000 Mexican soldiers against 6,000 French troops. Against all odds, Mexico won the battle (México ganó la batalla).
Here's some key vocabulary from this part of the story:
• la batalla – the battle
• la victoria – the victory
• el ejército – the army
• las tropas – the troops
• la deuda – the debt
• invadir – to invade
• ganar – to win
Here's another surprise: Cinco de Mayo is actually a pretty small holiday in Mexico. Businesses stay open, most people go to work, and it's not a national holiday (no es un día festivo nacional).
The biggest celebrations happen in the city of Puebla itself, where locals hold military reenactments (recreaciones históricas) every year. If you ever watch Spanish-language coverage of these events, you'll often hear words like conmemorar (to commemorate), honrar (to honor), and rendir homenaje (to pay tribute) — all great additions to your vocabulary.
So if it's a minor holiday in Mexico, why is it such a big deal in the United States? The answer goes back to the 1960s, when Mexican American activists — known as Chicanos — embraced the holiday as a symbol of cultural pride and resistance. They identified with the story of a smaller, less powerful group defeating a much stronger European force.
Over time, the holiday grew — and became increasingly commercial. Today in the U.S., Cinco de Mayo is widely associated with parties, parades, and Mexican food. While that's fun, many Mexican Americans remind us that the real meaning of the day runs much deeper.
Here's a recap of the most useful Spanish vocabulary from today's lesson:
• Cinco de Mayo – the fifth of May
• la batalla – the battle
• la victoria – the victory
• el ejército – the army
• festejar / celebrar – to celebrate
• el desfile – the parade
• conmemorar – to commemorate
• los fuegos artificiales – fireworks
• la comida mexicana – Mexican food
• el mole – mole (a traditional Mexican sauce from Puebla!)
Speaking of mole — if you really want to celebrate Cinco de Mayo the authentic way, skip the nachos and order mole poblano, the rich, complex sauce that originated in Puebla itself. Now that's a fun food fact worth knowing!
Vamos a preparar el taco, a rellenar la tortilla, primero con el mole; es muy típico.
We're going to prepare the taco, fill the tortilla, first with the mole; it's very typical.
Captions 4-6, Hispanoamericanos en Berlín Karla y los tacos - Part 2
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Holidays like Cinco de Mayo are a wonderful entry point into the Spanish language precisely because the vocabulary feels alive and relevant. Whether you're watching Spanish-language news coverage of the celebrations in Puebla, listening to mariachi music, or simply wishing someone a happy Cinco de Mayo, the words you've learned today will serve you well.
And now you'll also be the person who actually knows what the holiday is about — which, let's face it, is its own kind of victory (¡su propia victoria!). Did you already know the real story behind Cinco de Mayo, or was this news to you? We'd love to hear your thoughts — feel free to reach out with your questions and comments, and ¡hasta la próxima!
Bad Bunny made history at Super Bowl LX as the first artist to perform an entire halftime show primarily in Spanish. His 13-minute performance reached over 135 million viewers and wasn't just entertainment—it was a cultural statement. If you watched and wondered what he was saying, here are the 10 most powerful moments explained.
📌 "How wonderful it is to be Latino"
The show opened with these words from a performer dressed as a traditional Puerto Rican sugar cane worker. "Qué rico" literally means "how delicious" but expresses deep joy and satisfaction. There's no perfect English translation—it captures pride, contentment, and celebration all at once. This set the tone immediately: an unapologetic celebration of Latino identity.
📌 My Auntie Asked Me
Bad Bunny opened with his 2022 hit "Tití Me Preguntó." In Puerto Rican Spanish, tití means "auntie." The song is about nosy family members asking uncomfortable questions at gatherings about your love life. Millions of Latinos instantly recognized this universal experience.
Bad Bunny's hit "Yo Perreo Sola" (I Dance Alone) was a performance highlight. Perreo is reggaeton's signature dance style—the characteristic grinding moves associated with the genre. It comes from perro (dog). The song became an anthem about independence and doing what you want on your own terms.
Both words mean "to hang out" and show how Puerto Rican Spanish adapts English. Janguear (or even janguiar) is traditional Puerto Rican slang, while hangear is direct Spanglish. Both are conjugated like regular -ar verbs: vamos a janguear (let's hang out). This linguistic blending reflects Puerto Rico's bicultural reality.
Por su parte, "hanguear" es un término que significa pasar un buen rato o divertirse. Este término deriva del inglés, "to hang out". Se puede escribir con H inicial: "hanguear" ―Spanglish directo― o con J inicial: "janguear" o "janguiar".
For its part, 'hanguear' is a term that means to have a good time or have fun. This term derives from English, 'to hang out'. It can be written with initial H: 'hanguear' ―direct Spanglish― or with initial J: 'janguear' or 'janguiar'.
Captions 24-28, Desde el escritorio Bad Bunny Super Bowl 2026
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📌 "My name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio"
This simple introduction was powerful. By stating his full birth name on the world's biggest stage, Bad Bunny reminded everyone of his authentic identity. This wasn't just the artist—this was Benito, a Puerto Rican man proud of his heritage.
"Y si hoy estoy aquí en el Super Bowl 60, es porque nunca, nunca dejé de creer en mí y tú también deberías de creer en ti, vales más de lo que piensas"
📌 "And if I'm here today at Super Bowl 60, it's because I never, never stopped believing in myself and you should also believe in yourself, you're worth more than you think"
Notice the repetition of "nunca, nunca" (never, never) for emphasis—a common rhetorical device in Spanish. "Deberías de creer" uses the conditional tense to give advice. The phrase "vales más de lo que piensas" (you're worth more than you think) became an instant message of empowerment.
📌 "While one is alive, one should love as much as possible"
This beautiful line comes from his hit "BAILE INoLVIDABLE," one of the standout songs from his Grammy-winning album "Debí Tirar Más Fotos." The statement uses uno (one) instead of tú (you), giving it universal appeal—it's a life principle for everyone, not just the audience. Lo más que pueda means "as much as possible." Beyond the party and politics, Bad Bunny's core message was about love and living fully.
📌 "I can't forget you, I can't erase you. You taught me to love, you taught me to dance"
From the same song, this demonstrates beautiful parallel structure. No te puedo (I can't) repeats with olvidar (forget) and borrar (erase). Then me enseñaste (you taught me) repeats with querer (to love) and bailar (to dance). This repetition creates a rhythmic, memorable quality common in Spanish poetry and lyrics.
"No, no suelte' la bandera ni olvide' el lelolai. Que no quiero que hagan contigo lo que le pasó a Hawái"
📌 "No, don't let go of the flag nor forget the lelolai. Because I don't want them to do to you what happened to Hawaii"
From the song "LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii," performed with Ricky Martin. The apostrophes in suelte' and olvide' show dropped final consonants—characteristic of Puerto Rican pronunciation. "LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii," (what happened to Hawaii) refers to colonization, gentrification, and displacement. Bad Bunny draws a parallel to what's happening in Puerto Rico, warning against losing cultural identity and land.
Dos cosas importantes en este momento: Primero, el lelolai se refiere al canto típico de los campesinos puertorriqueños. Segundo, Ricky Martin mantuvo la pronunciación puertorriqueña eliminando la letra S final de los verbos "sueltes" y "olvides".
Two important things at this moment: First, the lelolai refers to the typical song of Puerto Rican peasants. Second, Ricky Martin maintained the Puerto Rican pronunciation eliminating the final letter S from the verbs 'sueltes' and 'olvides'.
Captions 41-46, Desde el escritorio Bad Bunny Super Bowl 2026
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In his only English moment, Bad Bunny said "God bless America" while staring at the camera.
Then he listed nearly every country in the Americas—from Chile to Canada—while performers carried flags from across the continent. He was reclaiming "America" for the entire hemisphere, not just the United States.
His closing words: "Seguimos aquí" (We're still here). As he held up a football inscribed with "Together we are America," these two simple words became a powerful declaration of presence, persistence, and resilience. Despite everything, we're still here, we're not going anywhere, and we belong.
Bad Bunny's Super Bowl performance proved that Spanish belongs on the world's biggest stages. These 10 moments used Spanish as a tool of cultural pride, political statement, and artistic expression—reaching over 135 million viewers and making it the most-watched halftime show in history.
For Spanish learners, you witnessed everything from street slang to poetic structures, from casual pronunciation to philosophical declarations. Bad Bunny showed that authentic Spanish, in all its forms, deserves the spotlight. Which moment resonated most with you? Share your thoughts with us!
The Spanish language continues to evolve, and the Real Academia Española (RAE) has just unveiled 330 new Spanish words in the digital version 23.8.1 of the Diccionario de la lengua española (DLE). This update, presented in December 2025, offers a preview of the upcoming 24th printed edition scheduled for 2026. Let's explore some of the most interesting additions that reflect how Spanish adapts to modern life, technology, and cultural shifts.
The digital world has left a strong mark on this update. According to Elena Zamora, head of the Instituto de Lexicografía, technology has sparked "a small revolution of words" that significantly impacts the Spanish language.
The word loguearse (to log in) now officially joins the dictionary with a spelling fully adapted to Spanish orthography. This is a perfect example of how the RAE embraces foreign concepts while maintaining Spanish linguistic rules.
Not all tech terms get the Spanish treatment. Words like gif, hashtag, mailing, and streaming have been incorporated as extranjerismos crudos (raw foreign words), keeping their original spelling.
Additionally, the dictionary has expanded definitions for existing words to accommodate new digital realities. The word etiqueta (tag) now includes its social media meaning (hashtag), and directo (live) has been updated to reflect live streaming on platforms. From journalism comes fotonoticia (photo news story).
la etiqueta "dudaRAE"
the "dudaRAE" [questionRAE] hashtag
Caption 39, Carlos explica Recursos para consultas del español - Part 4
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The performing arts contribute microteatro (micro-theater), a theatrical format that has gained popularity in Spanish-speaking countries. The entertainment world also adds alfombra roja (red carpet), acknowledging its importance in celebrity culture.
desfilar por la alfombra roja.
parading along the red carpet.
Caption 82, Viajando con Fermín Festival de Cine SSIFF - Part 1
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From the world of video games, comecocos (Pac-Man) makes its official appearance. And martial arts fans will be happy to see nunchaco (nunchucks) finally recognized in the dictionary.
Colloquial expressions have also found their place. Hacer un simpa (to dine and dash) is now officially recognized, along with its Argentine equivalent: hacer un pagadiós.
Reflecting growing ecological consciousness, the dictionary welcomes turismofobia (tourism phobia), a term for the growing resistance to mass tourism in certain areas. Related to environmental concerns, crudivorismo (raw food diet) appears alongside its derivatives: crudismo (raw foodism) and crudívoro (raw foodist).
The term milenial (millennial) also joins the dictionary, acknowledging the generation that has shaped much of contemporary culture and language.
Science and medicine represent one of the largest semantic fields in this update. Medical terms like rosácea (rosacea), autovacuna (autovaccine), and gravitón (graviton) from physics have been added.
Even science fiction contributes with teletransportación cuántica (quantum teleportation).
Santiago Muñoz Machado, director of the RAE and president of the Asociación de Academias de la Lengua Española (ASALE), emphasized that these additions are not arbitrary decisions. "None of these novelties is a whim of the academics," he stated, explaining the complex evaluation process.
Proposals come from institutions, individuals, and academics. The Instituto de Lexicografía evaluates each request, considering input from Spanish academies across the Americas before making final decisions.
This digital version serves as a preview of what Spanish speakers can expect in the comprehensive 24th edition coming in 2026. With over 330 updates including new words, revisions, and adjustments, the DLE continues to be the authoritative reference for millions of Spanish speakers and professionals worldwide.
The RAE's latest update reminds us that Spanish is a living, breathing language that adapts to technological advances, social changes, and cultural phenomena while maintaining its rich linguistic heritage. We'd love to hear your thoughts on these new additions—send us your comments and questions!
Spanish Language Day, known as El Día del Idioma Español or simply Día del Idioma in Spanish, is an annual celebration observed on April 23rd worldwide. This UNESCO-recognized celebration highlights the importance, global reach, and cultural significance of the Spanish language. In this lesson, we'll explore the origins of Spanish Language Day, why it coincides with Cervantes' death anniversary, and share fascinating facts about one of the world's most spoken languages.
Spanish Language Day was officially established by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 2010 to promote multilingualism and cultural diversity. The selection of April 23rd as Spanish Language Day holds special significance in the Hispanic literary world.
Initially, Spanish language celebrations were held on October 12th to coincide with el Día de la Hispanidad (Spanish Heritage Day) in certain countries, commemorating Columbus' arrival to the Americas. However, the date was officially changed to April 23rd to honor the memory of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, author of "Don Quixote" and one of the most influential figures in Spanish literature. While Cervantes died on April 22, 1616, he was buried the following day, April 23rd.
Interestingly, April 23rd also marks the death anniversary of William Shakespeare, England's most celebrated playwright. This shared date of remembrance for literary giants from both Spanish and English traditions highlights the global importance of language preservation and cultural heritage.
Spanish boasts approximately 590 million speakers worldwide, making it the world's second most spoken native language after Mandarin Chinese. Its influence extends across continents, serving as a bridge between diverse cultures and communities.
With over 21 million students currently learning Spanish, it ranks among the world's top four most studied languages. Its popularity in educational settings continues to grow, particularly in non-Spanish speaking countries.
Spanish has over 480 million native speakers, ranking as the language with the second largest population of native speakers worldwide. It is also the third most used language on the internet, demonstrating its relevance in the digital age.
As a language of business, diplomacy, and culture, Spanish facilitates international exchange across various sectors. From literature and arts to commerce and science, Spanish serves as a medium for mutual understanding and collaboration globally.
The United States, Brazil, and France lead the world in Spanish language education, with millions of students studying Spanish as a second or foreign language in these countries.
The Spanish language is distinguished by its official governing institution, La Real Academia Española (The Royal Spanish Academy), founded in 1713. For over three centuries, this prestigious institution has preserved the unity and integrity of the Spanish language while acknowledging regional variations and dialects.
Spanish serves as the official language in 21 countries across multiple continents, including Spain, most Latin American nations, and Equatorial Guinea in Africa. The global spread of Spanish reflects its historical significance and ongoing relevance.
Igualmente quiero mencionar, que en Guinea Ecuatorial se habla español, gracias a un tratado del siglo dieciocho, a través del cual Portugal le cedió a España este territorio. Se estima que hoy en día el setenta y cuatro por ciento de la población ecuatoguineana, habla español de forma nativa.
I also want to mention that in Equatorial Guinea, Spanish is spoken, thanks to an eighteenth-century treaty through which Portugal ceded this territory to Spain. It is estimated that today, seventy-four percent of the Equatoguinean population speaks Spanish natively.
Captions 61-67, Carlos explica Recursos para consultas del español - Part 1
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April 23rd is also celebrated internationally as World Book Day, creating a beautiful synergy between language appreciation and literary celebration. This dual recognition highlights the profound connection between language and literature in cultural preservation.
In Barcelona, Spain, April 23rd is celebrated as "Sant Jordi's Day" (Saint George's Day), a unique cultural tradition that combines book giving with romantic gestures. The day transforms the city into a vibrant marketplace of books and roses, embodying the union of literature and love.
un día como hoy, Sant Jordi, es el día en que se une el amor y la cultura. Además de ser el Día del Libro, para nosotros aquí en Barcelona tiene una tradición muy especial. A las mujeres se les suele regalar rosas, por una tradición y un cuento maravilloso de una doncella que estaba en peligro y fue rescatada por un príncipe de aquel peligroso dragón. Hubo un momento en el que ese amor se transformó en una rosa y es por ello que a ellas se les regala una rosa. Regalan ellas a ellos un libro, por ser parte del Día del Libro; así que es una tradición muy bonita.
a day like today, Sant Jordi, is the day that love and culture come together. In addition to being Book Day, for us here in Barcelona, it has a very special tradition. Roses are typically given to women due to a tradition and a wonderful tale of a maiden who was in danger and was rescued by a prince from that dangerous dragon. There was a moment in which that love became a rose, and that's why they [female] are given a rose. They [female] give them [male] a book because it's part of Book Day; so, it's a very nice tradition.
Captions 53-63, Víctor en España La fiesta de Sant Jordi
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Spanish Language Day reminds us of the rich linguistic heritage and ongoing vitality of one of the world's most beautiful and practical languages. Whether you're a beginner just starting your Spanish learning journey or an advanced speaker refining your skills, this celebration offers an opportunity to appreciate the language that connects millions across the globe.
With its melodious sounds, rich vocabulary, and connection to diverse cultures spanning multiple continents, Spanish continues to be one of the most rewarding languages to learn and master. From Cervantes to contemporary Hispanic literature and media, the Spanish language offers a gateway to an incredible wealth of cultural experiences.
We hope you continue your Spanish learning journey with enthusiasm, and don't forget to send us your suggestions and comments.
Generally speaking, there are three main meals that many people eat each day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Do you know how to say the names of those three meals in Spanish? Let's see how the answer to that question depends upon where you happen to be in the Spanish-speaking world.
If you are in Spain or Mexico, the following are the names of the three main daily meals:
es la hora del desayuno
it's breakfast time,
Caption 7, Clase Aula Azul Acciones habituales y en este momento - Part 1
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Todos los días, hago la comida a mediodía
Every day, I make lunch at midday
Caption 24, Ariana Mi Casa
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y normalmente cuando llego a casa, me hago la cena,
and usually when I get home, I make myself dinner,
Caption 30, El Aula Azul Actividades Diarias
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In the following clip, our Mexican friend Karla mentions all three of these daily meals as she tells us how, in her country, tacos can be eaten at any time of the day!
Eh... Puedes encontrar tacos en todas las esquinas, en todas las ciudades de todo México y puedes comerlo, en realidad, de desayuno, de comida o de cena,
Um... You can find tacos on every corner, in every city throughout Mexico, and you can eat it, actually, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner,
Captions 37-39, Hispanoamericanos en Berlín Karla y los tacos - Part 2
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In contrast, in most Latin American countries, the names of the three main meals are as follows:
Hoy es domingo y vamos a hacer el desayuno.
Today is Sunday, and we're going to make breakfast.
Captions 6-7, Quito Desayuno con Julia
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Al mediodía, preparo el almuerzo.
At noon, I make lunch.
Caption 14, GoSpanish La rutina diaria de Maru
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While some places use the word comida (e.g. Colombia), others use the term cena (e.g. Argentina). Let's hear a couple of clips:
¿Qué es la comida?
What's for dinner?
Caption 9, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 1 - Part 3
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Bueno, espero que lleguemos justo para la cena porque tengo un hambre que me muero.
Well, I hope that we are arriving just [in time] for dinner because I am dying of hunger.
Caption 49, Muñeca Brava 44 El encuentro - Part 6
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As we have just seen, the main difference between the meals of the day in Spain and Mexico vs. other Latin American countries is the term people use to talk about lunch. However, if you happen to hear the word almuerzo in Spain, you should be aware that, in that country, almuerzo refers to a mid-morning snack. In addition, it is very common for Spanish people to enjoy an afternoon snack called la merienda. Let's hear Raquel and Marisa explain this in detail:
El almuerzo es lo que tomamos entre el desayuno y la comida. Pero además tenemos la merienda y la cena. La merienda suele ser a las seis de la tarde. Y la cena es la última comida del día.
The mid-morning snack is what we have between breakfast and lunch. But in addition, we have the afternoon snack and dinner. The afternoon snack is usually at six in the afternoon. And dinner is the last meal of the day.
Captions 30-33, Raquel Presentaciones
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That's all for this lesson. We hope you learned some new words today, and don't forget to send us your suggestions and comments.
Do you know how to write the names of famous people such as Michelangelo or Jules Verne in Spanish? While keeping the name in its original language is today's rule of thumb, there are a couple of exceptions to this rule. Let's take a look.
Even if today, the preferred choice is to simply transfer the original name, there are several names of famous historical figures that are usually translated. The following is a list of some of them:
Thomas Moore - Tomás Moro
Albrecht Dürer - Alberto Durero
Hieronymus Bosch - Jerónimo Bosco; el Bosco
Michelangelo Buonarotti - Miguel Ángel
Miguel Ángel, el gran artista italiano.
Michelangelo, the great Italian artist.
Caption 19, Aprendiendo con Carlos - El microrrelato
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Jeanne d’Arc - Juana de Arco
Karl Marx - Carlos Marx
Niccolo Machiavelli - Nicolás Maquiavelo
Jules Verne - Julio Verne
Johann Sebastian Bach - Juan Sebastián Bach
Alexandre Dumas - Alejandro Dumas
Martin Luther - Martín Lutero
This is another exception to the rule. Let's see a couple of examples:
Queen Elizabeth II - reina Isabel II
Prince Philip - príncipe Felipe
Su marido es el príncipe Felipe, duque de Edimburgo.
Her husband is Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Captions 25-26, El Aula Azul - Adivina personajes famosos
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Pope Ioannes Paulus II (Latin); John Paul II (English) - Juan Pablo II
Fuimos a la beatificación del Papa Juan Pablo Segundo.
We went to the beatification of Pope John Paul the Second.
Caption 9, Latinos por el mundo - Chilenas en Venecia
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In order to preserve their semantic connotations, the nicknames of famous historical figures are also translated into Spanish:
Ivan Vasilyevich; Ivan the Terrible (English) - Iván el Terrible
Pépin le Bref (French); Pepin the Short (English) - Pepino el Breve
Considering all of the above, the important thing to keep in mind is this: Although the current trend is in favor of the original form, there are some famous names that currently alternate the use of the transferred form and its translation. For example, instead of using the original Catalan name Antoni Gaudí, you could use its Spanish version (Antonio Gaudí), just as our friend Víctor does in his series about this famous architect:
Antonio Gaudí era catalán y lo decía con mucho orgullo.
Antoni Gaudí was Catalan, and he said it with great pride.
Caption 16, Víctor en España - Vida y legado de Antonio Gaudí
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And that's all for today. By the way, do you know what the Spanish equivalent of your name is? Find out and let us know, and don't forget to send us your questions and comments.
As the year draws to a close, it's time to learn the Spanish vocabulary you'll need to celebrate like a native speaker! Whether you're planning to ring in the new year with Spanish-speaking friends or simply want to send heartfelt greetings, these five tips will help you master the most commonly used Spanish words and phrases for this festive season.
While the most standard way to say "Happy New Year" in Spanish is simply Feliz Año Nuevo, you may also hear the following alternatives:
• Feliz Año (short for Happy New Year)
• Próspero Año Nuevo (Prosperous New Year)
• Feliz [year] (Happy [year])
These New Year greetings in Spanish are perfect for toasts, cards, and social media posts during the holiday season!
If you're writing to someone, there's a difference between writing Feliz Año Nuevo (with all three words capitalized) and Feliz año nuevo (with the second two words in lowercase).
In fact, while the former is specifically a good wish for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day holidays, the latter is a more general good wish for the new year ahead. This subtle distinction can help you sound more natural when writing Spanish New Year messages!
o "Feliz Año Nuevo".
or "Happy New Year."
Caption 10, Aprendiendo con Silvia Felicitar y expresar buenos deseos - Part 2
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Nochevieja (literally "old night") is the Spanish word for the last night of the year, or New Year's Eve. Just keep in mind that it is preferable to write the name of this special day as one single word (Nochevieja), rather than as two words (Noche Vieja).
nada más y nada menos que la noche de Nochevieja.
nothing more and nothing less than the night of New Year's Eve.
Caption 8, Con Marta por Madrid La Plaza del Sol - Part 2
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This is one of the most important celebrations in Spanish-speaking countries, filled with unique traditions!
In some parts of Latin America, people burn human-size dolls called años viejos (literally "old years") stuffed with old clothes, newspaper, and firecrackers. This symbolic act represents "out with the old, in with the new," casting off the past year and welcoming fresh beginnings. In some regions, these dolls even "leave a will" (testamento) as part of the tradition, as we can hear in the following clip:
Eh... hay una... hay un rito o... un poco más de Nariño, que es que el... el año viejo deja un testamento.
Um... there's a... there's a rite or... a bit more from Nariño, which is that the... the "año viejo" [doll] [literally "old year"] leaves a will.
Captions 24-25, Viajando con Carlos El año viejo en Colombia - Part 2
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It is difficult to imagine the end of the year in many Spanish-speaking countries without fireworks lighting up the sky at midnight. But do you know how to say "fireworks" in Spanish? The following are the two acceptable terms:
Fuegos artificiales
Juegos pirotécnicos
Regarding the second term, be careful not to mix it with the first and say "fuegos pirotécnicos" instead of "juegos pirotécnicos." This mistake is quite common, even among native Spanish speakers! Let's hear how to pronounce the first term:
Sí, fuegos artificiales con un fondo de violines, me encanta, ¿eh?
Yes, fireworks with a background of violin [music]; I love it, huh?
Caption 39, Yago 6 Mentiras - Part 2
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Now you're ready to celebrate Nochevieja and welcome the new year with confidence! From saying Feliz Año Nuevo to understanding unique Latin American traditions like años viejos, you have all the essential Spanish vocabulary for this festive season.
We'd love to hear how you plan to celebrate! Share your favorite New Year traditions and feel free to reach out with any questions about Spanish holiday vocabulary.
¡Feliz Año Nuevo!
Have you thought about your resoluciones de Año Nuevo (New Year's resolutions) yet? Let's go over ten of the most common propósitos de Año Nuevo (another Spanish term for "New Year's resolutions") and find out how to talk about them in Spanish.
After a season of comer de más (overeating), a lot of us feel we have put on a few libras (pounds) or kilos (kilograms, since much of the Spanish-speaking world uses the metric system) and wish to adelgazar (lose weight) in the New Year.
Entonces, en un sentido es, quiero bajar de peso,
So, in one sense it's, I want to lose weight,
Caption 22, Cuentas claras Sobreviviendo enero - Part 1
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Another way to say "to lose weight" in Spanish is perder peso.
Related to losing weight and ponerse en forma (getting in shape) or volver a estar en forma (getting back in shape) is exercising. Let's see how to say this in Spanish:
quiero hacer ejercicio,
I want to exercise,
Caption 23, Cuentas claras Sobreviviendo enero - Part 1
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One way to get in more physical activity might be to take up some new exercise-related hobby like el yoga (yoga), la natación (swimming), or pole dancing, to name a few, and, in fact, empezar un pasatiempo nuevo (starting a new hobby) is another common New Year's resolution.
Claro. Es muy importante romper con la rutina diaria y hacer cosas diferentes. Te hará sentirte mejor y desconectar del estrés.
Of course. It's very important to break the daily routine and do different things. It will make you feel better and disconnect from stress.
Captions 14-18, Karla e Isabel Nuestros hobbies
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Of course, hobbies range from physical activities to more cerebral pursuits, and for a plethora of hobby ideas and how to say them in Spanish, check out this lesson on Yabla's Top 40 Hobbies in Spanish.
Also related to such fitness/health metas (goals) are quitting smoking and drinking (either permanently or for a while):
Dejar de fumar, dejar de tomar alcohol. Por eso voy a dejar de tomar.
Give up smoking, give up drinking alcohol. That's why I am going to stop drinking.
Captions 52-53, Los médicos explican La hipertensión
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Another common resolution is to get in shape financieramente (fiscally) rather than físicamente (physically):
y en el lado financiero, quiero salir de deudas, quiero comenzar a ahorrar, quiero hacer un presupuesto.
and on the financial side, I want to get out of debt, I want to start to save, I want to create a budget.
Captions 25-26, Cuentas claras Sobreviviendo enero - Part 1
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Pasar tiempo (spending time) with our seres queridos (loved ones) might not seem like something we have to vow to do more of, but we all too often neglect it due to being ocupados (busy), estresados (stressed), or enfocados en nuestro trabajo (focused on our jobs). And, the pandemic has definitely made us value our ability to spend time with people more than ever before.
Eh... Tengo muchísimas ganas porque hace mucho tiempo que no veo a la familia y a los amigos.
Um... I really want to because it's been a long time since I've seen my family and friends.
Captions 8-9, El Aula Azul Conversación: Planes de fin de semana
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Having taken away our ability to travel for a time, the pandemic has also made many of us long to do so even more. A travel-related resolution might be hacer más viajes (to take more trips) generally or perhaps to finally take that special trip one has long been planning:
Quiero viajar a Japón este año.
I want to travel to Japan this year.
Caption 63, Clase Aula Azul Pedir deseos - Part 1
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Carlos puts it very simply:
Lea más libros.
"Lea más libros" [Read more books].
Caption 42, Carlos explica El modo imperativo 2: Irregulares, Usted + plurales
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Although the aforementioned stressors might make us feel like we don't have time for la lectura (reading), many set this as a resolution because they know it can enrich their vocabulary and/or language abilities while simultaneously providing a valuable escape.
Organizarse (getting organized) might entail cleaning up our clutter or picking up after ourselves more regularly:
Ahora sí, mi dormitorio está en orden.
At last, my bedroom is organized.
Caption 43, Ana Carolina Arreglando el dormitorio
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Another aspect of organization might be writing things down to avoid forgetting them or overbooking:
Pues yo, Montse, me lo apunto en la agenda, ¿eh?
Well, I, Montse, am writing it down in my planner, huh?
Caption 78, Amaya Teatro romano
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This is a more general resolution that could include having el coraje (the courage) to tackle some or many of the previous resolutions we have mentioned, as well as simply learning to vivir y valorar el momento (live and appreciate the moment). It is the notion of making the most out of each day and doing things to work towards inner paz (peace), alegría (happiness), and equilibrio (balance), while not perder oportunidades (missing out on opportunities), the specifics of which are, of course, different for each person. Let's take a look at some clips that reflect this sentiment:
y que vivan una experiencia, que vivan realmente el momento,
and that they live an experience, that they really live the moment
Captions 25-26, Melany de Guatemala Su Método de Actuación
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No tengas miedo. Debes ser fuerte y arriesgarte.
Don't be afraid. You should be strong and take risks.
Captions 44-45, De consumidor a persona Short Film - Part 1
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Entonces, vale la pena aprovechar la oportunidad.
So, it is worth it to take advantage of the opportunity.
Caption 29, Outward Bound Fabrizio
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Now that we have established them, ¿cómo cumplir con los propósitos de Año Nuevo (how do we keep our New Year's resolutions)? With a lot of enfoque (focus), disciplina (discipline), and determinación (determination), and by setting objetivos realistas (realistic goals) and working on them poco a poco (bit by bit). That said, les deseamos mucha suerte (we wish you a lot of luck) following through with your New Year's resolutions a largo plazo (in the long term)... and don't forget to leave us your suggestions and comments!
In recent years, the holiday known as Día de los muertos, or Día de muertos (Day of the Dead), which is most typically celebrated on November 1st and 2nd but sometimes also on October 31st and/or November 6th, has gained considerable popularity. The 2017 release of Coco, a Pixar animated film inspired by this tradition, has likely consolidated this originally Mexican holiday's spot in mainstream culture far beyond its birthplace. Let's learn more about this unique festivity.
Scholars continue to debate whether Día de los muertos dates back to pre-Hispanic civilizations like the Aztecs, Olmecs, Zapotecs, and Mayas or is an adaptation of Catholic and pagan traditions brought in during the Conquest. Likely merging the two, this festivity meant to honor the dead has religious undertones but has also evolved into an important secular holiday with distinctive practices that are shared across the country. As Don Salo, an artisan from Yucatan, tells us, there are also many regional variations:
Aquí se le llama Janal Pixan.
Here it's called Janal Pixan.
En maya es "comida para difuntos".
In Mayan means "food for the deceased."
Captions 67-68, Yabla en Yucatán - Don Salo
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As Adriana shares with us in the following clip, Día de los muertos aims not to mourn, but rather to remember and honor, family members and friends who have passed away:
La celebridad del Día de los Muertos, más que celebrar la muerte, es celebrar el recuerdo de nuestros santos difuntos,
The fame of the Day of the Dead, rather than celebrating death, it's to celebrate the memory of our saintly departed
Captions 40-42, Hispanoamericanos en Berlín Adriana y la fiesta de los muertos - Part 1
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There are many ways to do this. One is by preparing a deceased person's favorite dishes:
Y la manera de honrarlos es, eh... haciendo sus platillos favoritos,
And the way to honor them is, um... making their favorite dishes,
Caption 16, Tatiana y su cocina Chilaquiles
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Another is by building an altar de muertos (altar to the dead) or ofrenda de muertos (offering to the dead) in one's home. Such altars might include skulls (calaveras) made of sugar and meringue, marigold flowers known by their Aztec name cempazúchitl, candles (velas), the "bread of the dead" (pan de muerto), salt (sal), water, traditional food and beverages, and papel picado (decorative pierced paper), which Meli teaches us to make:
tengo tips super fáciles para decorar tu altar de muertos o tu casa. Vamos a hacer papel picado con dos diseños,
I have super easy tips to decorate your altar to the dead or your home. We are going to make "papel picado" with two designs,
Captions 7-8, Manos a la obra Papel picado para Día de muertos
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Meli additionally teaches us how to make squishy calaveritas (sugar skulls) and explains to us yet another Day of the Dead tradition: spending the night at the cemetery:
En algunos lugares de México, las personas pasan parte de la noche en el panteón.
In some places in Mexico, people spend part of the night at the cemetery.
Captions 60-61, Manos a la obra Papel picado para Día de muertos
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While gifts for the departed in the form of the aforementioned items are often left at friends and family members' graves, Día de los muertos is not solely focused on the dead, as giving gifts such as candy sugar skulls and sharing pan de muerto and other festive food and beverages with living friends and family members is common practice. Some additionally pen light-hearted verses in the form of mock epitaphs for their friends and family, a literary genre known as calaveras literarias (literary skulls).
Día de los muertos continues to gain popularity outside of Mexico as well, particularly in areas with large Mexican immigrant populations as Adriana, a Mexican woman living in Berlin, explains:
lo que me vincula muy fuertemente a mi tierra es una festividad que se celebra aquí en Berlín hace más de treinta años.
what ties me very strongly to my land is a festivity that has been celebrated here in Berlin for more than thirty years.
Captions 30-33, Hispanoamericanos en Berlín Adriana y la fiesta de los muertos - Part 1
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Día de los muertos is also important in many other Spanish-speaking countries, each with its own version. According to Julia, in Ecuador, people customarily drink colada de mora (blackberry smoothie) for Día de los muertos:
...y que en Ecuador y en otros países se la toma
...and that in Ecuador and in other countries is consumed
el dos de noviembre de todos los años, el Día de los Muertos.
on November second every year, the Day of the Dead.
Captions 52-53, Otavalo - Conozcamos el Mundo de las Frutas con Julia
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That said, in spite of such regional nuances, the goal of all Día de muertos celebrations is not to forget our grief, but remember to also happily celebrate life:
Pero metámosle también este otro poco de... de recuerdo, de memoria, de alegría, y honremos a los que ya se fueron celebrando nuestra propia vida.
But let's add to it as well this other bit of... of recollection, of memory, of happiness, and let's honor those who already departed by celebrating our own lives.
Captions 50-51, Tatiana y su cocina Chilaquiles
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Do you know about any additional Día de los muertos traditions? Write us and let us know!
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