Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Celebration in Spanish: Celebración
Celebración · noun · seh-leh-brah-see-OHN
The word 'celebration' translates to 'celebración' in Spanish. It encompasses any event or occasion where people gather to mark a happy milestone—birthdays, weddings, holidays, achievements, or cultural festivals. The casual synonym 'festejo' is also widely used.
seh-leh-brah-see-OHN
La celebración del aniversario duró toda la noche.
The anniversary celebration lasted all night.
Celebration in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for celebration, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| celebración | celebration | seh-leh-brah-see-OHN | Default, widely understood |
| festejo | celebration | Latin America (informal) | |
| fiesta | celebration | party context |
How Native Speakers Use Celebración
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Birthday
Organizamos una gran celebración para los quince años de mi sobrina.
We organized a big celebration for my niece's fifteenth birthday.
References the culturally significant quinceañera milestone.
National Holiday
Los festejos por la independencia incluyen desfiles y fuegos artificiales.
The independence celebrations include parades and fireworks.
Uses the Latin American synonym in a patriotic context.
Personal Achievement
Hicieron una celebración sorpresa cuando obtuve mi título universitario.
They threw a surprise celebration when I got my university degree.
Describes an academic achievement party.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Celebración
Celebración vs. Fiesta
Incorrect: La celebración empieza a las diez. (meaning casual party)
Correct: La fiesta empieza a las diez.
'Celebración' implies a special occasion or milestone; for a regular social gathering or casual party, 'fiesta' is the natural, lighter choice.
Verb Agreement
Incorrect: La celebración fueron increíbles.
Correct: La celebración fue increíble.
'Celebración' is singular, so the verb and adjective must both remain singular even if the celebration involved many events.
Lock in Celebration Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Celebración used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using celebración in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear La celebración del aniversario duró toda la noche. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Celebration in Spanish
- What is the difference between 'celebración' and 'festejo'?
- 'Celebración' is somewhat more formal and encompasses the act of celebrating any important occasion. 'Festejo' is slightly more informal and emphasizes the festive activities themselves—the dancing, eating, and merriment rather than the abstract concept of marking an event.
- How do I say 'to celebrate' in Spanish?
- The verb is 'celebrar,' a regular -ar verb. You can say 'celebramos su cumpleaños' (we celebrated his birthday) or 'vamos a celebrar' (let's celebrate). The alternate 'festejar' works in casual Latin American speech.
- What types of celebrations are unique to Spanish-speaking cultures?
- Notable celebrations include 'quinceañeras' (15th birthday for girls), 'Día de los Muertos' (Day of the Dead in Mexico), 'Las Fallas' in Valencia, and 'carnavales' across the Americas. Each carries traditions not found in English-speaking cultures.