Christmas in Spanish: Words, Traditions and Greetings
Talk about Christmas in Spanish: Navidad vocabulary, posadas, Nochebuena dinner, gifts, villancicos and greetings for Latino and Spanish families.
By Ayoub Farid · · 2 min read
For many Spanish-speaking families, Christmas is a long season of food, music and gatherings. Here's the vocabulary to take part.
Christmas vocabulary
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| la Navidad | Christmas |
| la Nochebuena | Christmas Eve |
| el árbol de Navidad | Christmas tree |
| los regalos | gifts |
| Santa Claus / Papá Noel | Santa |
| los Reyes Magos | the Three Kings |
| el nacimiento / el belén | nativity scene |
| los villancicos | Christmas carols |
| la piñata | piñata |
| el ponche | warm fruit punch (Mexico) |
| los aguinaldos | small gift bags of treats; also year-end bonus |
| el intercambio | gift exchange |
Traditions
- Las posadas (Mexico): nine nights of processions and parties from December 16 to 24, recalling Mary and Joseph looking for shelter, with songs, piñatas and ponche.
- Nochebuena dinner: often the biggest meal: tamales, bacalao, pozole, romeritos or turkey, depending on the family.
- Misa de gallo: midnight Mass.
- Día de Reyes (January 6): kids receive gifts from the Three Kings in many countries.
Greetings
- ¡Feliz Navidad!
- ¡Felices fiestas!
- ¡Feliz Navidad y próspero Año Nuevo!
- Que la pasen muy bonito en familia.
At the celebration
- ¿Quién trae qué? — Who's bringing what?
- ¿A qué hora es la cena? — What time is dinner?
- ¡Abran los regalos! — Open the presents!
- Me encantó, ¡muchas gracias! — I loved it, thank you!
- ¿Cantamos un villancico? — Shall we sing a carol?
Mini dialogue at Nochebuena
- Tía: ¡Feliz Navidad, mijo! ¡Pásale, pásale!
- You: ¡Feliz Navidad, tía! Traje un postre.
- Tía: ¡Ay, gracias! ¿Ya saludaste a tu abuela?
- You: Ahorita voy. ¿Qué preparaste este año?
- Tía: Tamales, pozole y bacalao.
- You: ¡Qué rico! Ya tengo hambre.
Popular villancicos
Singing along is great pronunciation practice:
- Los peces en el río
- Mi burrito sabanero
- Campana sobre campana
- Noche de paz (Silent Night)
- Feliz Navidad by José Feliciano
Look up the lyrics, listen a few times and sing along with the family.
Practice before the holidays
Arriving at Nochebuena ready to talk is a gift in itself. Practice family conversations with Lolo's call with abuela, then use them at dinner. See Spanish holiday phrases and Spanish for family gatherings.
Frequently asked questions
What is Nochebuena?
Christmas Eve, the main family night in many Spanish-speaking countries.
What are las posadas?
Mexican celebrations from December 16 to 24 with processions, songs, piñatas and food.
Who brings gifts in Spanish-speaking countries?
Santa Claus (Papá Noel), the Three Kings on January 6, or both, depending on the family.
