Why do Spaniards eat twelve grapes on New Year's Eve?

The tradition of "las doce uvas de la suerte" dates back to early 20th-century Spain. At midnight on December 31, people eat one grape with each of the twelve clock-tower bell strikes, each grape symbolizing good luck for one month of the coming year. The custom has spread throughout Latin America and is one of the most recognized Spanish cultural traditions worldwide.

What is the difference between uva morada and uva tinta?

Uva morada simply means "purple grape" and is used in everyday contexts, such as at a grocery store. Uva tinta, meaning "dark" or "red grape," is the term preferred in winemaking and viticulture, especially in Spain. Both describe dark-colored grapes, but tinta carries a more specialized, oenological connotation.

How do you say grapevine or vineyard in Spanish?

A grapevine is called "vid" or "parra" in Spanish, with vid being the more formal botanical term and parra often referring to a vine growing on a trellis or pergola. A vineyard is "viñedo" or simply "viña." You might hear "Visitamos un viñedo en Mendoza" (We visited a vineyard in Mendoza).

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

How to Say Grape in Spanish

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Uva · noun · OO-bah

The Spanish word for grape is "uva." Whether you are picking them at a vineyard, buying them at the store, or eating them on New Year's Eve, uva is the word you need. Grapes hold a special place in Spanish-speaking culture, from winemaking traditions to festive customs.

OO-bah

Compré un racimo de uvas en el supermercado.

I bought a bunch of grapes at the supermarket.

Grape in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for grape, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
uva	grape	OO-bah	Default, widely understood
uva verde	grape		General (green grape)
uva morada	grape		General (purple grape)
uva tinta	grape		Spain (red/dark grape for wine)
pasa	grape		General (raisin, dried grape)

How Native Speakers Use Uva

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

At a fruit stand

Deme medio kilo de uvas verdes, por favor.

Give me half a kilo of green grapes, please.

Requesting a specific type of grape by color at an outdoor market.

Discussing winemaking

Esta bodega utiliza uvas tintas de la región de La Rioja.

This winery uses red grapes from the La Rioja region.

Talking about the grape varieties used to produce wine in a famous Spanish wine region.

A New Year's tradition

Cada Nochevieja comemos doce uvas con las campanadas.

Every New Year's Eve we eat twelve grapes with the bell chimes.

Referring to the Spanish custom of eating one grape per bell strike at midnight for good luck.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Uva

Forgetting the plural for multiple grapes

Incorrect: Comí mucha uva esta tarde.

Correct: Comí muchas uvas esta tarde.

When referring to multiple individual grapes, use the plural "uvas" with the matching plural adjective "muchas." The singular "uva" works when talking about the fruit in general or a single grape.

Calling a raisin an uva seca instead of pasa

Incorrect: Añade unas uvas secas a la ensalada.

Correct: Añade unas pasas a la ensalada.

While "uva seca" is literally understandable, the standard Spanish word for raisin is "pasa." Native speakers universally use pasa in recipes, grocery lists, and everyday conversation.

Lock in Grape Vocabulary with the Parrot Method

Why word lists alone don't stick

Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.

See Uva used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using uva in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Compré un racimo de uvas en el supermercado. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

Save, review, repeat, stay consistent

Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.

Common Questions About Grape in Spanish

Why do Spaniards eat twelve grapes on New Year's Eve?: The tradition of "las doce uvas de la suerte" dates back to early 20th-century Spain. At midnight on December 31, people eat one grape with each of the twelve clock-tower bell strikes, each grape symbolizing good luck for one month of the coming year. The custom has spread throughout Latin America and is one of the most recognized Spanish cultural traditions worldwide.
What is the difference between uva morada and uva tinta?: Uva morada simply means "purple grape" and is used in everyday contexts, such as at a grocery store. Uva tinta, meaning "dark" or "red grape," is the term preferred in winemaking and viticulture, especially in Spain. Both describe dark-colored grapes, but tinta carries a more specialized, oenological connotation.
How do you say grapevine or vineyard in Spanish?: A grapevine is called "vid" or "parra" in Spanish, with vid being the more formal botanical term and parra often referring to a vine growing on a trellis or pergola. A vineyard is "viñedo" or simply "viña." You might hear "Visitamos un viñedo en Mendoza" (We visited a vineyard in Mendoza).