Christmas (Navidad) is one of the most important celebrations in Spanish-speaking countries. Today, we'll explore essential Christmas vocabulary in Spanish along with authentic examples from native speakers. Let's dive into the festive spirit!
One of the most cherished Christmas traditions in the Hispanic world is setting up nativity scenes at home or in public places. These displays are called belenes or nacimientos:
Lo más tradicional además del turrón, el champán y los Reyes Magos, es montar el belén en casa.
The most traditional [thing] besides nougat candy, champagne and the Three Wise Men, is to put up a Nativity scene at home.
Captions 2-4, Europa Abierta Joaquín Pérez - Escultor de belenes
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el pesebre - the manger
el niño Jesús - baby Jesus
los pastores - the shepherds
la estrella - the star
el ángel - the angel
Villancicos are Spanish Christmas carols, an essential part of holiday celebrations. Lida and Cleer sing for us one of the most popular villancicos, El burrito de Belén (The Little Donkey from Bethlehem) also known as El burrito sabanero (The Little Donkey from the Savannah):
Con mi burrito sabanero voy camino de Belén Con mi burrito sabanero voy camino de Belén Si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén Si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén
With my little savanna donkey I'm heading to Bethlehem With my little savanna donkey I'm heading to Bethlehem If they see me, if they see me, I'm heading to Bethlehem If they see me, if they see me, I'm heading to Bethlehem
Captions 42-45, Cleer y Lida Buñuelos
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En Colombia, la palabra cena se usa para ocasiones especiales, como la cena de Nochebuena o la cena de Nochevieja.
In Colombia, the word "cena" is used for special occasions, like the Christmas Eve dinner or the New Year's Eve dinner.
Captions 23-25, Carlos comenta Los Años Maravillosos - Costumbres alimenticias y conflicto
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El día de los Reyes es una festividad que viene de tradición cristiana
Three Kings Day is a celebration that comes from the Christian tradition
Caption 7, Isabel y Paula contigo Día de Reyes - Part 1
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Las Posadas is a beloved Mexican Christmas tradition that has also spread to some Central American countries. These celebrations take place during the nine days before Christmas (December 16-24), representing the nine months of Mary's pregnancy. The word posada means "lodging" or "accommodation."
In Mexico, these celebrations include:
- Reenacting Mary and Joseph's search for lodging
- Processing through neighborhoods with candles
- Traditional songs specific to Las Posadas
- Breaking star-shaped piñatas
- Sharing traditional Mexican Christmas foods like ponche (fruit punch) and tamales
In Colombia, families and friends gather for nine consecutive nights before Christmas (December 16-24) to celebrate la Novena de Aguinaldos. This tradition consists of praying the Christmas novena and singing villancicos.
The Novena includes several important elements:
- Gozos: Traditional verses sung between prayers
- Villancicos: Colombian Christmas carols
- Traditional foods: natilla (custard), buñuelos (cheese fritters), and hojuelas (fried pastries)
- Prayer gatherings: Different families host each night
- Children's participation: Kids often lead parts of the prayers and songs
Some popular Colombian villancicos sung during the Novena include:
- "Tutaina"
- "Los peces en el río"
- "Noche de Paz" (Silent Night)
- "A la nanita nana"
Speaking of "A la nanita nana," let's hear Jacky performing this beautiful villancico:
A la nanita, nana, nanita, nana, nanita, eh-ah Mi Jesús tiene sueño, bendito sea, bendito sea
To [sing] a little lullaby, lullaby, little lullaby, lullaby, little lullaby, eh-ah My Jesus is sleepy, blessed be he, blessed be he
Captions 4-5, Villancicos Jacky canta "A La Nanita Nana"
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In many Spanish-speaking countries, workers receive a Christmas bonus called aguinaldo:
Vaya a ver, y yo veré la propina, ¿no? -¿La propina? -Cuando lo cobre. Espere y verá el aguinaldo que le voy a dar.
Go see, and I'll see about the tip, right? -The tip? -When you collect it. Wait, and you'll see the bonus that I'm going to give you.
Captions 8-9, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 2 - Part 6
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el turrón - nougat candy
el champán/champagne - champagne
los buñuelos - fritters
el ponche - punch
las galletas - cookies
el pavo - turkey
el árbol de Navidad - Christmas tree
las luces - lights
la estrella - star
la flor de Nochebuena - poinsettia
los adornos - ornaments
el musgo - moss (used in nativity scenes)
los regalos - presents
Papá Noel - Santa Claus
los Reyes Magos - the Three Wise Men
la carta a los Reyes - letter to the Three Wise Men
el espíritu navideño - Christmas spirit
las fiestas - the holidays
Understanding these Christmas terms will help you fully participate in holiday celebrations throughout the Spanish-speaking world. Whether you're singing villancicos, attending posadas, participating in novenas, or simply wishing someone ¡Feliz Navidad!, you'll now have the vocabulary you need to embrace the Christmas spirit in Spanish.
Did we miss any important Christmas terms? Are there other holiday traditions from Spanish-speaking countries you'd like to learn about? Don't forget to send us your comments and questions. We love hearing from you!
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