How To Say "Christmas" In Spanish

Christmas, a time of joy, family, and traditions, is celebrated worldwide, and Spanish-speaking countries are no exception. However, if you are not a native Spanish speaker, you may be wondering, "How do you say Christmas in Spanish?". Do not worry, in this article, we will answer that question and provide some interesting facts about the meaning of "Christmas" in Spanish.

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What is "Christmas" in Spanish?

The word "Christmas" in Spanish is "Navidad" (IPA: /na.βiˈðað/). Navidad is derived from the Latin word "natalis", meaning "birth", as it refers to the birth of Jesus Christ. The holiday is celebrated on December 25th, and it is one of the most important and beloved celebrations in Spanish-speaking countries.

Meaning of "Christmas" in Spanish

In Spanish-speaking countries, Christmas is not just one day of the year; it is an entire season that starts on December 8th and ends on January 6th. During this time, people celebrate with traditions, such as:

• Decorating their homes with lights, Christmas trees, and nativity scenes.
• Attending Misa de Gallo (Rooster's Mass) on Christmas Eve.
• Exchanging gifts on the night of December 24th.
• Eating traditional foods, such as tamales, bacalao (salted cod), and ponche (fruit punch).

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Translating "Christmas" to Spanish

If you want to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Spanish, you can say "feliz Navidad" (IPA: /feliz naβiˈðað/). This phrase is well-known all over the world thanks to the famous Christmas song Feliz Navidad by Puerto Rican singer Jose Feliciano.

Regional Differences

While Navidad is the most common word for “Christmas” in Spanish, there are some regional differences you should be aware of. In some countries, especially in Latin America, people use the word pascua (IPA: /pasˈkwa/) to refer to Christmas. Pascua comes from the Latin word “Pascha”, which means “Passover” or “Easter”. In these countries, the word Navidad is used more specifically to refer to Christmas Eve, which is a big celebration in its own right.

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How to Say "Christmas" in Spanish: Sample Sentences

Here are five sample sentences you can use to say "Christmas" in Spanish:

• ¿Has comprado los regalos de Navidad?

(Have you bought the Christmas gifts?)

• La Navidad es mi época favorita del año.

(Christmas is my favorite time of the year.)

• Voy a pasar la Navidad con mi familia.

(I'm going to spend Christmas with my family.)

• Feliz Navidad y próspero Año Nuevo.

(Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.)

• ¿Qué planes tienes para Navidad?

(What are your plans for Christmas?)

Conclusion