Celebrations Vocabulary in Spanish
Learn vocabulary related to various celebrations in Spanish, including birthdays, weddings, and national holidays.
hacer un brindis
make a toast
The Spanish phrase 'hacer un brindis' translates to 'make a toast' in English. This can refer to the act of raising one's glass and saying something nice before drinking at a celebration or special occasion. This phrase is commonly used at weddings, family gatherings, parties, and other festive events where people wish to express their good wishes, gratitude or celebration publicly before sharing drinks together.
hacer un regalo
make a gift
'Hacer un regalo' is a phrase in Spanish that is directly translated to 'make a gift' in English. It may be used when someone is creating a gift for another person, such as crafting a handmade item. However, it can also be used more broadly to mean giving a gift. This is because in Spanish, 'hacer' translates to 'make' or 'do', and 'un regalo' translates to 'a gift'. Therefore, the phrase 'hacer un regalo' can encompass both the creation and the giving of a gift.
hacer una despedida de soltero
make a bachelor party
The phrase 'hacer una despedida de soltero' in Spanish translates to 'make a bachelor party' in English. This refers to the act of organizing a celebratory event or party typically held for a man shortly before he enters marriage, to mark the end of his 'bachelor' or single status. In this phrase, 'hacer' means 'to make' or 'to do', 'una despedida' means 'a farewell', and 'de soltero' means 'of bachelor'. Thus it collectively signifies the planning or organizing of a bachelor party.
hacer una fiesta (de cumpleaños
party (birthday)
The term 'hacer una fiesta (de cumpleaños)' in Spanish translates to 'throw a party (birthday)' in English. It's used when one is planning or organizing a party, especially a birthday party. 'Hacer' means 'to do' or 'to make', 'una fiesta' means 'a party', and 'de cumpleaños' means 'of birthday' or 'birthday'. All together, it represents the idea of preparing or holding a party to celebrate someone's birthday.
hacer una fiesta de fin de curso)
party at the end of the course)
The Spanish phrase 'hacer una fiesta de fin de curso' translates to 'have a party at the end of the course' in English. This usually refers to a celebration that is done in conclusion of an academic term or a course. There may be food, drinks, games and entertainment involved. This can be held at various venues such as schools, colleges or houses where individuals gather to celebrate the end of their academic journey.
inauguración
opening
The Spanish word 'inauguración' translates to 'opening' in English. This can refer to the act or ceremony of formally starting something, such as an event, building, or institution. It can also denote the start or first part of something. Additionally, it can represent a formal celebration that marks the beginning of a major public event.
inaugurar las fiestas
inaugurate the holidays
The Spanish phrase 'inaugurar las fiestas' translates to 'inaugurate the holidays' in English. This phrase is often used to signify the official opening or the starting of holiday festivities or events. Similar to its English equivalent 'inaugurate', 'inaugurar' refers to the act of formally or ceremoniously initiating something. In the context of 'las fiestas', which means 'the holidays', 'inaugurar las fiestas' refers to the official commencement of holiday celebrations.
inaugurar un acto
inaugurate an event
The phrase 'inaugurar un acto' in Spanish can be translated in English as 'inaugurate an event'. This is often used in the context of formal ceremonies or public events, when an individual officially declares the event as being open or in progress. The term 'inaugurar' refers to the act of beginning or introducing something, typically with a formal ceremony. The term 'un acto' refers to an event or occasion.
invitar a una despedida de soltero
invite to a bachelor party
The phrase 'invitar a una despedida de soltero' in Spanish translates to 'invite to a bachelor party' in English. A bachelor party is a party given for a man who is about to get married, typically thrown by his friends, where he celebrates his last days of being single. To 'invitar a una despedida de soltero' means to extend an invitation to such an event.
invitar a una fiesta de fin de curso
invite a party at the end of the course
The Spanish phrase 'invitar a una fiesta de fin de curso' translates to 'invite to a party at the end of the course' in English. This phrase can be used in a situation where someone is asking another person to attend a celebration that marks the conclusion of a specific course or academic term.
irse de luna de miel
leave honeymoon
'Irse de luna de miel' in Spanish literally translates as 'to leave on a honeymoon' in English. It refers to the traditional holiday, which newlyweds embark on, immediately following their wedding ceremony. This phrase is commonly used to describe the action of going away for a dedicated time of celebration and relationship-building immediately after getting married.
madrina (de boda)
bridesmaid
The Spanish word 'madrina (de boda)' directly translates to 'bridesmaid' in English. In English-speaking cultures, a bridesmaid is a woman who supports the bride in her wedding. Generally, she may be a close friend or family member. Meanwhile, in Spanish-speaking cultures, 'madrina (de boda)' represents an equivalent role with similar responsibilities in a wedding. Her role includes providing support to the bride during the wedding planning process and the ceremony itself.
marcha nupcial
bridal march
The term 'marcha nupcial' refers to a piece of orchestral music, commonly used in the context of weddings. It is the formal music that is generally played to announce the arrival of the bride, marking the start of the wedding ceremony in many Western cultures. In English, this is known as the 'bridal march'.
montar una fiesta a lo grande
to throw a big party
The Spanish phrase 'montar una fiesta a lo grande' translates to 'to throw a big party' in English. This is often used when one is planning or intending to host a large and extravagant celebration. The verb 'montar' literally means 'to mount' or 'to set up', 'una fiesta' translates to 'a party' and 'a lo grande' means 'in a big way' or 'grandly'. Therefore, when combined, it signifies the action of organizing a grand or extensive party.
montar una fiesta por todo lo alto
to throw a party in style
'Montar una fiesta por todo lo alto' is a Spanish phrase that translates roughly to 'throw a party in style' in English. The literal translation would be something along the lines of 'mount a party on all heights', which can be interpreted as arranging or organizing a party to a large or lavish scale. The phrase can be used when speaking of really memorable, elaborate parties - the kind where no expense or effort is spared to ensure everyone has a great time.
nacimiento
birth
The Spanish word for 'birth' is 'nacimiento.' It is primarily used in phrases to describe someone's birth, such as 'fecha de nacimiento' (date of birth). It can also be used in a broader sense to describe the birth or beginning of something, such as 'nacimiento de una idea' (the birth of an idea).
Example sentences with nacimiento →Navidad
christmas
The Spanish word for 'christmas' is 'Navidad'. It is used the same way as 'christmas' in English. It refers to the annual Christian festival celebrating Christ's birth, held on December 25 in the Western Church. It's a widely celebrated holiday in Spanish-speaking countries, often marked with family gatherings and festive decorations.
Example sentences with Navidad →organizar un cóctel
organize a cocktail
The Spanish phrase 'organizar un cóctel' translates to 'organize a cocktail' in English. Essentially, it refers to the act of planning and arranging a social gathering where cocktails, a type of mixed drink typically made with spirits, are served. This could involve tasks like choosing the venue, coordinating the date and time, deciding on the menu including the selection of different cocktails and other beverages available, and inviting guests.
organizar un funeral
organize a funeral
The phrase 'organizar un funeral' in Spanish translates to 'organize a funeral' in English. This phrase can refer to the process of arranging and planning all aspects associated with a funeral. This may include, but is not limited to, scheduling a time and place for the service, deciding who will officiate the service, arranging for transportation of the deceased and the family, ordering floral arrangements, and choosing burial or cremation options, among other tasks necessary to honor and remember the deceased.
organizar una celebración
organize a celebration
The Spanish term 'organizar una celebración' translates to 'organize a celebration' in English. This phrase is typically used when planning a special event such as a party, festival, or ceremony. Organizing a celebration can involve multiple tasks including choosing a date and location, sending out invitations, arranging for food and drinks, decorating, and managing a schedule of activities or entertainment.
organizar una fiesta de disfraces
organize a costume party
The Spanish phrase 'organizar una fiesta de disfraces' translates to 'organize a costume party' in English. It's commonly used when planning or arranging a special event where participants are expected to come dressed in costumes. This may often be associated with certain holidays like Halloween, or special themed events or celebrations.
padrino (de boda)
godfather (wedding)
In Spanish, 'padrino (de boda)' translates to 'godfather (wedding)' in English. It has a religious and social connotation. The term is used to refer to a man who acts as a sponsor for a person (often a child) at baptism, which arises from a Christian tradition, for which he promises to help raise and educate the child in accordance with their religion should anything happen to the parents. However, in the context of a wedding, a 'padrino' is a very important guest, typically a close family friend or relative, who has certain responsibilities in the ceremony similar to the 'best man' in English cultural context.
presidir un acto
preside over an act
The Spanish phrase 'presidir un acto' translates to 'preside over an act' in English. It typically refers to the act of leading or overseeing a formal event or ceremony, such as a meeting, ceremony, or other formal occasion. Someone who 'preside un acto' is the leading authority or figurehead during that specific event, guiding its procedures and maintaining order. This phrase is often used in both informal and formal conversation.
publicar el programa oficial de las fiestas
publish the official program of the holidays
The phrase 'publicar el programa oficial de las fiestas' in Spanish translates to 'publish the official program of the holidays' in English. This term can be used in a context where an institution, like a school or a governmental organization, puts forward the schedule or a list of activities they have planned for a holiday or a festival. It implies making public, usually through various communication channels, the detailed schedule or list of events planned for specific holidays or festivities.
realizar una entrega de premios
to hold an awards ceremony
The Spanish phrase 'realizar una entrega de premios' translates to 'to hold an awards ceremony' in English. This is often used in the context of organizing or conducting an event, where awards are being presented to acknowledge and honor the achievement of individuals in various fields. The term implies not just the act of giving awards, but all the associated aspects of such an event such as planning, arranging, and executing.
regalar
give away
The Spanish word 'regalar' translates to 'give away' in English. It is a verb, often used when someone is giving something as a gift or offering something without expecting anything in return. For example, 'Voy a regalar estos juguetes a los niños,' which in English would be 'I am going to give these toys away to the children.' In summary, whenever the act of giving, especially in the context of a gift, is involved, 'regalar' is the apt Spanish verb to use.
regalo
gift
The Spanish word 'regalo' translates to 'gift' in English. The word 'regalo' can be used in various contexts but commonly refers to something given voluntarily without payment in return, as to show favor toward someone, honor an occasion, or make a gesture of assistance. It can be a physical object, a kindness, or a service. The word 'regalo' can be used in a sentence like 'Este es un regalo para ti', which translates to 'This is a gift for you' in English.
salir de fiesta
go partying
The Spanish phrase 'salir de fiesta' translates to 'go partying' in English. This phrase is often used in conversational Spanish to express the act of going out for a party or celebration. It is made up of 'salir' which means 'to go out', 'de' means 'of', and 'fiesta' means 'party'. So, literally translated, it would be 'to go out of party', but in a correct English interpretation, it would be 'to go partying'. Note that in Spanish, the verb often comes before the object or the action, which is why 'salir' comes before 'fiesta'.
santo
Holy
The Spanish word 'santo' translates to 'holy' in English. It is often used in religious contexts to denote something or someone that is associated with sanctity or blessed by a religious institution. In Spanish culture, this word is particularly prevalent due to the country's strong Catholic history. It can be used to refer to a saint (persona santa), a holy day (día santo), or a holy city (ciudad santa). Its usage can also extend beyond the ecclesiastical to express an intense feeling or sentiment as in 'santo cielo!' (holy heaven!).
ser (un) aguafiestas
be (a) party pooper
The Spanish phrase 'ser (un) aguafiestas' translates to 'be (a) party pooper' in English. The verb 'ser' is used to express identity or nature. In this phrase, it is used to indicate the nature of a person who is an 'aguafiestas' or 'party pooper'. Such persons are typically those who spoil other people's fun or enjoyment, especially by displaying a lack of enthusiasm or by showing negative attitude towards social activities. Thus, this expression is commonly used in situations where one person's behavior or attitude negatively affects the overall atmosphere of a party or social gathering.