Have you planned your desired trip through Spanish-speaking countries in the beautiful Christmas season? Many surprises await you! So be prepared with the useful and essential vocabulary necessary to show the locals how much you care about being part of this festivity with them. Get to know some nice Spanish Christmas greetings.
Learning the culture of another country is something extraordinary that enriches us in every area of our lives. Even more so, if you can experience how other people celebrate an occasion as special as Christmas. Considering that Spanish-speaking countries are deeply rooted in their religion, the birth of Jesus is an event that unites families and fills everyone with peace and harmony.
Therefore, these seasonal Christmas holiday greetings will be beneficial in breaking down language barriers and creating lasting ties with locals, whether in Spain or Latin America. “Feliz Navidad” is not the only phrase you can learn, there are other heartfelt Christmas greetings in Spanish. Let’s begin learning!
“Feliz Navidad” And Other Genuine Spanish Christmas Greetings
The essential words you should prepare for this festivity is how to say the most heartfelt Christmas greetings in Spanish. Learning different Christmas messages in Spanish will help you in case you need to wish locals a season filled with warm moments.
These are the most common Merry Christmas phrases, spoken across all Hispanic countries.
- “¡Feliz Navidad!”
Translation: Merry Christmas! (Happy Christmas/UK) - “¡Felices fiestas!”
Translation: Happy holidays! - “Que pases muy lindo esta Navidad junto a tu familia y amigos.”
Translation: Have a wonderful time this Christmas with your family and friends. - “Que pases una feliz Navidad.”
Translation: I wish you a Merry Christmas. - “¡Mis mejores deseos para esta Navidad!”
Translation: All my best wishes for this Christmas! - “En esta navidad brindo por nuestra amistad”
Translation: This Christmas, I make a toast to our friendship. (A simple yet meaningful toast.) - “Te deseamos una feliz navidad y próspero Año Nuevo”
Translation: We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - “¡Feliz Navidad y próspero Año Nuevo!”
Translation: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! - “Feliz navidad y feliz año nuevo.”
Translation: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
We say these last three greetings for the holiday season, including the New Year. The phrase “próspero Año Nuevo,” literally means to have a prosperous year, and can be shortened to simply say “feliz año nuevo”, which means Happy New Year.
It is often used when we cannot wish the person Happy New Year when the time comes, so we better combine Christmas wishes with año nuevo.
How To Reply If Someone Wishes You Merry Christmas In Spanish?
Learning the whole conversation is key to creating positive communication between you and your Spanish-speaking friends.
Imagine that you are invited to their family gathering on Christmas Eve. I’m sure you would like to start talking to locals in their native language to amuse them. In that case, have this natural conversation in mind:
Person: “¡Feliz Navidad!” (Merry Christmas!)
You: “Gracias, igual para usted/ti” (Thank you, same to you)
Note #1: You can say “Gracias”, which means “thank you,” if you need to sound more polite. It may differ depending on the country’s customs. But where I am from, Ecuador, my family taught me to always thank the person before saying “you too.”
Note #2: the word “usted” is used to express respect when talking with someone older. You may use “ti” if you are close to that person.
But if that gets too complicated, or the shyness of the moment wins, and you end up forgetting most of the phrase, reply “igualmente” (The same to you)
Other Spanish Words Related To Christmas
You are now an expert in Spanish Christmas greetings! It’s time to learn more relevant vocabulary that you will often hear and will need to use during the Christmas holiday season in Hispanic countries.
What Do We Call The Days Of Christmas?
Another necessary aspect is to learn what to call the days of the Christmas holidays in Spanish. The most interesting part is that we celebrate Christmas on December 24th. The night of the 24th is the special moment when we reunite with family and eat turkey or other typical food, depending on each country.
Let’s learn about each day, what it means, and what we do during each time.
- Navidad (Starts on different days depending on the country) — Christmas. The festivity can start in Mid-December with various religious rituals. For example, in Ecuador, nine days before Christmas, people gather to pray “la novena,” which comes from the Latin “novem” (nine).
- Nochebuena (December 24th) — Christmas Eve, when people have a delicious family dinner. It is the eve of Jesus’ birth, and it coincides with the winter solstice. Some people also like to spend time with friends and party.
- Medianoche (December 25th midnight) — Midnight, when kids open their presents!
- El día de Navidad (December 25th)— Christmas Day. People rest and do mainly religious activities during this day, such as going to church and placing the “Divino Diño Jesus” in the “Pesebre.” New words? Yes! Please keep reading to learn what they mean!
Terms Related To Christmas Objects, Food, Religion, and Traditions
Christmas is a Christian Holiday that holds a special place in many Hispanic people’s hearts. It does not matter if you are not a Christian or a Catholic, or if this festivity is not celebrated in your country. We love having people over during these times of the year; what’s more, my family often invites foreign friends to learn about our traditions. The important thing about Christmas is to share and spend time with loved ones.
Being able to wish happy holidays to Spanish-speaking people will be already good enough for you during your trip, but enhance the experience with more Christmas greetings in Spanish.
You will love learning these words and phrases to speak them whenever you need to!
- ¡Que Dios te bendiga! — May God bless you!
- Pesebre — (direct translation: Manger) It’s the Nativity scene.
- Niño Jesús — Baby Jesus.
- Misa de Gallo — A Christmas mass that is usually celebrated at midnight. Although, devotees can attend one earlier as well.
- Villancico — Christmas carol.
- Árbol de Navidad — Christmas tree.
- Adornos navideños — Christmas decorations.
- Luces — Lights.
- Regalos — Presents.
- Abrir los regalos!— Open the presents!
- Papá Noel — Santa Claus.
- Rodolfo El Reno — Rudolph, the (Red-Nosed) Reindeer.
- Trineo — Sleigh.
- Renos — Reindeer.
- Cena Navideña — Christmas Dinner.
- Comer —To eat.
- Brindar — To make a toast.
- Fiesta — Party.
- Pavo — Turkey.
- Champán — Champagne, can’t miss at the dinner table.
- Vino — Wine.
- Tamal Navideño — Tamale is a typical dish traditionally cooked for Christmas in some Latin American countries.
- Frutos secos — (direct translation: dried fruit) It’s used for almonds, nuts, raisins, and more.
- Pan dulce — (direct translation: sweet bread) A Panettone is an Italian bread eaten on Christmas and New Year in many countries worldwide.
- Turrón — Nougat. A Spanish typical sweet, which is also common in some Latin American countries during Christmas.
- Compartir — To Share.
- Tarjeta Navideña — Christmas card
- Buenos deseos — Good wishes
- Paz — Peace
- Mensajes Navideños — Christmas messages
- Los tres Reyes Magos — The three Wise Men
Ready To Spend Christmas In A Hispanic Country?
I’m sure you feel ready for the next holiday season with all of those Spanish greetings and Christmas vocab. But! Spanish language learning has just begun. Suppose you plan to visit or live in a country where Spanish is the most spoken language. In that case, you should consider practicing even more to achieve fluency and sound like a local. Impress people by saying “feliz navidad” (Merry Christmas), and other important Spanish words!
Learning Spanish With Ling App
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Plus, you’ll love the fun lessons Ling App has for you!
We hope you enjoyed this blog. Don’t forget to check out some other blogs from Ling that have been making waves such as South American Food and Hi in Spanish.
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