Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say To Have Fun in Spanish
Divertirse · verb · dee-vehr-TEER-seh
The reflexive verb 'divertirse' is the standard translation for 'to have fun' in Spanish. It undergoes an e→ie stem change in the present tense. Informal alternatives include 'pasarla bien' in Latin America and 'pasarlo bien' in Spain.
Pronounced dee-vehr-TEER-seh in the infinitive. Note the stem change in conjugation: me divierto (meh dee-VYEHR-toh) in the first person present.
Nos divertimos mucho en la fiesta de anoche.
We had a lot of fun at last night's party.
To Have Fun in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for to have fun, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| divertirse | to have fun | dee-vehr-TEER-seh | Default, widely understood |
| pasarla bien | to have fun | Latin America informal | |
| pasarlo bien | to have fun | Spain informal |
How Native Speakers Use Divertirse
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Weekend plans
¿Te divertiste el fin de semana pasado?
Did you have fun last weekend?
Asking about past enjoyment using preterite tense.
Encouragement
¡Diviértanse mucho en el concierto!
Have a lot of fun at the concert!
Using the ustedes imperative to wish others a good time.
Casual expression
La pasamos increíble en la playa.
We had an incredible time at the beach.
Informal Latin American alternative to divertirse.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Divertirse
Forgetting reflexive pronoun
Incorrect: Yo divierto mucho en las fiestas.
Correct: Yo me divierto mucho en las fiestas.
Divertirse is reflexive; omitting the pronoun 'me' changes meaning or sounds ungrammatical.
Missing stem change
Incorrect: Ella se diverte con sus amigas.
Correct: Ella se divierte con sus amigas.
Divertirse has an e→ie stem change in all present tense forms except nosotros and vosotros.
Lock in To Have Fun Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Divertirse used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using divertirse in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Nos divertimos mucho en la fiesta de anoche. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About To Have Fun in Spanish
- What is the difference between divertirse and pasarla bien?
- While both mean 'to have fun,' divertirse is the standard verb used across all registers, and 'pasarla bien' (Latin America) or 'pasarlo bien' (Spain) are more colloquial expressions equivalent to 'have a good time.'
- How do I conjugate divertirse in the preterite?
- In the preterite, divertirse has an e→i stem change in third person: me divertí, te divertiste, se divirtió, nos divertimos, se divirtieron.
- Can I use divertir without the reflexive?
- The non-reflexive form 'divertir' means 'to amuse' or 'to entertain someone else,' as in 'el payaso divierte a los niños' (the clown entertains the children), which is different from enjoying oneself.