How to Say Christmas in Spanish | Navidad Vocabulary and Gre
Christmas, a time of joy, family, and traditions, is celebrated worldwide, including in Spanish-speaking countries. If you're not a native Spanish speaker and are wondering how to say Christmas in Spanish, this article will provide the answer along with interesting facts about the holiday's significance.
2,500 most common Spanish words with IPA pronunciation & bilingual example sentences
What is "Christmas" in Spanish?
The word for Christmas in Spanish is "Navidad", pronounced as /na.βiˈðað/. Navidad comes from the Latin word "natalis", meaning birth, and it refers to the birth of Jesus Christ. The holiday season starts on December 8th with the Immaculate Conception and ends on January 6th with Epiphany.
Meaning of Christmas in Spanish
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The Spanish Frequency Dictionary series covers the 10,000 most common Spanish words — ranked by how often native speakers actually use them, with IPA pronunciation, English translations, and bilingual example sentences at every level.
Browse all 4 volumes →In Spanish-speaking countries, Christmas is a festive season filled with traditions such as decorating homes with lights, Christmas trees, and nativity scenes. Other customs include:
- Misa de Gallo (Rooster's Mass): Attending midnight mass on Christmas Eve.
- Gift Exchange: Exchanging gifts on the night of December 24th.
- Traditional Foods: Enjoying dishes like tamales, bacalao (salted cod), and ponche (fruit punch).
Christmas Vocabulary in Spanish
Beyond "Navidad", there are several other important Christmas-related words to learn:
- Pascua: In some Latin American countries, Pascua is used instead of Navidad.
- Nochebuena: Christmas Eve, a time for family gatherings and celebrations.
- Romería de San Silvestre: New Year's Eve pilgrimage in Spain.
Spanish Christmas Greetings
To wish someone a Merry Christmas in Spanish, you can say "feliz Navidad", pronounced as /feliz naβiˈðað/. This phrase is widely recognized thanks to the popular song "Feliz Navidad" by Jose Feliciano.
Regional Differences
While "Navidad" is commonly used, there are regional variations. In some Latin American countries, Pascua (IPA: /pasˈkwa/) is preferred to refer to Christmas, with Navidad specifically denoting Christmas Eve.
Sample Sentences and Dialogues
To help you practice your Spanish during the holiday season, here are some sample sentences:
- ¿Has comprado los regalos de Navidad?
- La Navidad es mi época favorita del año.
- Voy a pasar la Navidad con mi familia.
(Have you bought the Christmas gifts?)
(Christmas is my favorite time of the year.)
(I'm going to spend Christmas with my family.)
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The fastest way to grow your Spanish vocabulary is to start with the words you'll actually encounter every day. The Spanish Frequency Dictionary covers the 2,500 most common Spanish words, each with IPA pronunciation, an English translation, and bilingual example sentences.
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