Author: Maria del Mar Pérez

Categories
Culture around Spanish language

Spanish Territories Around the World & Iberian Peninsula

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Diferencia entre España y la Península Ibérica | iScribo

Do you know the Iberian Peninsula countries? The Iberian Peninsula is a piece of land in Europe, below the Pyrenees, surrounded by water and connected only in a part of its northern side with a European country, France.

Is Spain in the Iberian Peninsula? Well… Yes, but there are also other countries in the peninsula and other overseas territories of Spain outside the peninsula. This sounds like a tongue twister, but if you think about it, there are many nations that have overseas territories or that share geography with other countries. Let’s not go any further, we are talking about the United Kingdom.

Discover today with iScribo which territories make up Spain and which are the other countries that have the privilege of sharing the Iberian Peninsula with Spain.

Iberian Peninsula Countries

In the introduction we’ve explained what the Iberian Peninsula is, so now it’s time to explain which countries make it up. You probably thought it was just Spain, but no, the peninsula, despite being incredibly small, is shared by four countries:

– Spain (of course it is!).

– Portugal, located to the west of the Iberian Peninsula.

– Andorra, that curious Principality located between Spain and France.

– Gibraltar, a British territory.

Different Islands in Spain

We have just learned about peninsular Spain, but this country also has an amount of islands.

The Balearic Islands, which we already told you about in another blog post, is an archipelago located to the east of the Iberian Peninsula, in the Mediterranean Sea. The islands that make up this group are Mallorca, Cabrera, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.

The other archipelago, famous for being a sun and beach destination for tourists, is called the Canary Islands. This group of volcanic origin is located to the east of the African continent and is made up of Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa, as well as several islets.

Not only Canary Islands and Balearic Islands, Spain has other small islands around the world, such as Pheasant Island, between Hendaye (France) and Irun (Spain), whose sovereignty it shares amicably with France. It is curious that each country governs it every six months. The Chafarinas Islands, between Morocco and Spain, are another example, as are the Ahucemas Islands and Alboran Island.

Do you know Spanish Micronesia? It is a group of tiny islands and islets in the Pacific that are no man’s land due to political oversight, but the last owners were the Spaniards. These islands are Kapingamarangi, Mapia, Nukuoro, Rongrik and Ulithi.

Spanish Territories Around the World

Do you know that there are Spanish territories in Africa? They are Ceuta and Melilla, two Spanish autonomous cities in Moroccan territory, on the Mediterranean shore. Ceuta and Melilla are located in a privileged political enclave as the gateway between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. They have belonged to Spain for centuries.  

Llivia is a small village in France. Most Spaniards ignore this place, but it exists and it is Spanish.

Spain’s territory reaches as far as Antarctica. Yes! That’s right. Antarctica does not belong to any country, but it is true that there are more than twenty nations that have a base on it. It is this fact that makes Spain’s portion of territory so far away, as it has two permanent bases. Curious, isn’t it?

The Wonders of Geography

Politics plays an important role in the allocation and appropriation of territories. There are some islands that are not sovereign to any country but which, because of their location, Spain defends. This is El Perejil, an islet south of Gibraltar.

What about the Embassies? They do not function in the same way as Antarctica since Embassies are regulated and under international jurisdiction. If, in addition to know what the Iberian Peninsula countries are and the Spanish territories around the world, you want to write its wonderful language, Spanish, better, try the iScribo tool and let us know what you think in the comments!

Categories
Writing in Spanish

8 Tips to Correct Spelling Mistakes in Spanish

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8 Consejos para Escribir sin Faltas de Ortografía | iScribo

Making spelling mistakes when writing in Spanish generates confusion in the receiver of our message. Moreover, correcting spelling mistakes in your documents is perceived as a high command of the language, as well as a good cultural level.

Protecting Spanish as a language is the goal of academics and linguists. Also, writing according to Spanish spelling rules will help us to be clearer and more precise when we express ourselves. Good spelling helps to improve the communicative process, so it is important to wonder how to avoid spelling mistakes while writing.

Even if you like to read a lot and you pay attention to how to write without spelling mistakes, making errors happens to everyone sometimes. iScribo brings you a few tips about how to spell correct in Spanish, so that your fluency when writing is not affected by punctual doubts you may have.

1. Keep Reading

If you wonder how to overcome spelling mistakes while writing, we’ll tell you that reading is vital to improve your writing in any language and Spanish is no exception.

If you are one of those people who devour books and literature is your passion, you are in luck. Kill two birds with one stone! While practising your favourite hobby, you will learn how to write properly in Spanish.

If you’re not much of a storyteller, read newspapers and magazines that interest you – anything goes!

2. Learn Spanish Spelling Rules

Spanish is based on rules. Yes, there are exceptions, but we have to start somewhere. Learning basic Spanish spelling will help you to write better and better each time.

3. Write Nonstop

Practice makes perfect. The first thing is to learn the spelling rules well and the second is to put them into practice.

You can write in your own handwriting with pen and paper, the old-fashioned way, or you can use a spellchecker in Spanish to correct yourself as you write. Think that everything helps and that everything you do will improve the way you write.

4. Ask a Spanish-Speaker for Help

Globalisation has its advantages. One of them is that, as Spanish is the second most globally spoken language, you will find Spanish speakers everywhere you go!

If you know a Spanish speaker, ask them if they can dictate to you and then correct it. It’s a great way to learn the basic rules of Spanish and learn in real time.

5. Work With Synonyms

Repeat after me “the dictionary is my best friend”. Don’t say it out loud or people will think you have a social problem, but rather, repeat it to yourself in your head for a few minutes.

Why have a dictionary ‘as a friend’? Associating a word with its meaning will help you spell it well. Look up synonyms for a word and your brain will begin to associate it with what you already know. This trick is infallible to write well.

6. Identify Other’s Spelling Mistakes

Reading someone else’s text, whether from a friend or a newspaper or magazine, for example, and identifying the spelling mistakes that have been made will sharpen your instinct for spotting your own spelling mistakes.

It’s not about being cruel to others! But think that no one is perfect, so we all make spelling mistakes. First, learn to criticise yourself and then you will be able to see the mistakes of others with the constructive perspective that will help you learn.

7. Mind your Writing!

Nowadays we live surrounded by stimuli and this favours attention deficit. When typing or using a pen, concentrate on what your hands are doing and writing. This simple step is ideal for avoiding spelling mistakes. Common sense? Yes, maybe, attention plays an essential role in your writing.

8. Write Down your Most Frequent Mistakes

We tend to make the same mistakes repeatedly. What can we do? As human beings, that is our condition.

Make a list of your most frequent spelling mistakes in Spanish and look at it from time to time. That way you will train your brain… and it works!

Take Advantage of the Benefits that Internet Offers

Spanish RAE y other organisations like Fundéu are there to help us. Take advantage of a world dominated by the Internet and learn from these tools.

The more you practice and work on writing well in Spanish, the fewer spelling mistakes you will make.

Have you tried the iScribo Spanish grammar checker yet? In addition to correcting spelling mistakes, it will suggest grammatical improvements as well as synonyms. Writing well is easy and at your fingertips. Tell us in the comments section below.

Categories
Spanish as a language

Language and Communication Issues in Spanish

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Problemas Lingüísticos en la Comunicación en Español | iScribo

The role of language is fundamental in our lives and in basic communication in Spanish. Appreciating communication difficulties helps us to improve the relationships we have with others.

Understanding is vital for relationships, not only with people who speak the same language, but also in multicultural relationships of any kind. Spanish is no exception – verbal language, body language and the tone in which Spanish speakers talk can be well or badly interpreted depending on the level of the language and the culture of the interlocutor.

Today iScribo shows you communication difficulties and cultural differences, specifically in Spanish, and helps you understand how important it is to practise advanced communication so that your problems in understanding others disappear.

Spanish at Work

In this section we are going to focus on written communication in Spanish in the workplace.

When it comes to Spanish, we can tell you that it has a great variety of different ways of speaking, not only because of the diversity of countries that speak it, but also because of the number of varieties of the language within the same country. Not only this, but spelling can also be a problem when communicating in Spanish.

Imagine for a moment that you write an email to a client and it has a few spelling mistakes, what image can that person take away from you or your company? Good written communication will always improve customer relations, and to do this, you need to master the language and practice advanced communication in Spanish.

If you find it difficult to write in Spanish and have problems improving your vocabulary, we suggest you use the iScribo tool so that you can learn Spanish and start writing the advanced Spanish that you long for when it comes to work.

Spanish in Romantic Relationships

The ideal in this case is to find a way to create a symbiosis between the two cultures.

Spanish speakers are well known for speaking with a high pitch, i.e. basically speaking very loudly. In some cultures this can be perceived as disrespectful. This is compounded by difficulties in communication and language. If someone speaks to us and we do not understand them, the speaker unconsciously raises their voice in order to be better understood.

If by chance you are a Spanish speaker, and sometimes you find it difficult to communicate with your partner, think before shouting, maybe you can express your speech with other words to facilitate communication in Spanish.

If Spanish is not your mother tongue and you are learning it, be patient, knowing the cultural aspects of your partner can help you understand much better.

Simplifying the language when speaking to facilitate understanding can lead to a lack of expressions and emotions in the speech. And this is where the next section comes in.

Spanish and Non-Verbal Language

It is well known that culture plays an essential role in the impact of the structure of language and how we use it in practice.

The way we look, the way we move and how we express ourselves with our hands – sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words and this is what happens when we talk to others.

When it comes to linguistic communication difficulties when speaking, the body always comes to the rescue, ask an Italian speaker about this! It is a form of survival in order to understand each other.

Did you know that when a person does not understand us, they look at our movements to get some clues as to what we are talking about?

Non-verbal communication is a powerful weapon to promote understanding, use it wisely!

Break Boundaries while Learning Spanish

A language is the tool we use to create relationships with others. Use it with respect to have fruitful and positive relationships with other people. You won’t regret it!

If you pay attention, you’ll find out the richness of Spanish in the diversity of its grammar and vocabulary as well as in the amount of non-verbal language that Spanish speakers use every day. It is amazing, isn’t it?

Have you ever had a communication problem of this kind in Spanish, and have you ever felt you were expressing yourself badly and ended up saying something you didn’t mean? Tell us in the comments, iScribo helps you to improve your written Spanish so that you can break the barrier of language and communication issues.

Categories
Spanish as a language

Collective, Concrete and Abstract Nouns in Spanish

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Sustantivos Colectivos, Concretos y Abstractos | iScribo

The richness of Spanish grammar fascinates theorists and academics all over the world. Spanish vocabulary crosses borders and it is important to understand what we are talking about at any given moment in order to fully master the language.

Do you know collective, concrete and abstract nouns? And what about the common nouns in Spanish?

iScribo helps you to classify the nouns that cause the most confusion when expressing yourself in Spanish.

Concrete Nouns

Concrete nouns are nouns that refer to objects or entities that actually exist. To understand it better, they are tangible, real, physical things that “can be touched”.

They are the most common and have gender and number. Some examples to help you visualise it better are sofá (sofa), candado (lock) or máquina (machine).

La ventana del salón está abierta.

(The living room window is open.)

El avión va a despegar en un momento.

(The plane is going to take off in a moment.)

Abstract Nouns

Abstract nouns are intangible ones. To help you understand this better, imagine things that you cannot physically touch (although you can in a figurative sense, like felicidad – happiness). The beauty of the name of these nouns gives you a hint of how special they can be!

Abstract nouns name realities that cannot be perceived by the senses. Examples are: armonía (harmony), justicia (justice) or miedo (fear).

El olvido juega en contra de la edad.

(Forgetfulness plays against age.)

La sinceridad es lo que más valoro en una persona.

(Sincerity is what I value most in a person.)

Collective Nouns

This is a sub-type of concrete nouns.

Collective nouns are nouns that are used by the individual to designate a collective. The opposite of collective nouns is individual nouns, which in the singular designate a single being or object.

Examples of collective nouns are rebaño (herd – to designate a group of sheep), manada (herd – group of livestock animals) or constelación (constellation – group of stars).

Los toros pastan en manada para preservar su seguridad.

(Bulls graze in a herd to keep them safe.)

El cañaveral florecerá en primavera.

(The reedbed will bloom in spring.)

Mi familia vendrá a cenar por mi cumpleaños.

(My family is coming to dinner for my birthday.)

Examples of individual nouns are lápiz (pencil), frigorífico (fridge) or coche (car).

Expand Your Knowledge

Knowing the names of nouns and how to classify them can help you improve your Spanish vocabulary.

As well as helping you determine the difference between collective, concrete and abstract nouns, knowing the characteristics of a language helps you master it like a native speaker.

What aspect of Spanish grammar do you find most difficult to put into practice? Do you know more types of nouns or more common nouns in Spanish? Tell us in the comments and practice with iScribo.

Categories
Spanish as a language

8 Top Jobs Where Knowing Spanish is Helpful

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8 Trabajos en los que se Usa el Español a Diario | iScribo

Jobs where knowing Spanish is helpful are the order of the day.

In addition to specific training in a particular area, fluency in more than one language is an additional benefit over other candidates.

Not only in Spanish-speaking countries, but you can also work with the Spanish language practically all over the world. As one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, Spanish language jobs are at the top of the list of the most in-demand positions in the job market.

Read this iScribo article to discover jobs using Spanish on daily basis.

1. Journalism

Whether you are a Spanish speaker or a foreigner with a good knowledge of Spanish, this language opens doors to work in the journalism sector in a large number of countries. Whether as an editor in a foreign subsidiary or as a reporter, Spanish is almost always a prerequisite for working in the news industry.

From America to Asia to Europe, journalism has a job for anyone who speaks Spanish!

2. Education Sector

Spanish is taught as a second language in many countries, such as France, Brazil and Côte d’Ivoire.

Speaking more than one language gives you an advantage over other professionals who only speak one language. Imagine if you teach science in a school in Germany but speak Spanish like a native speaker, you will have a better chance of getting and keeping that job than someone else.

Not only as a teacher but also in the secretarial work in schools, languages such as Spanish are valued.

3. Legal Assistant

The legal and defence sector is on the rise in languages such as Spanish.

We live in an increasingly cosmopolitan world, where migratory flows are increasing every year.

Helping Spanish speakers living or travelling abroad with their legal matters is always an option.

Conversely, if you are a Spanish speaker, you can also help foreigners living or travelling to your country.

The possibilities in this sector are endless: from lawyers to advisors to counsellors.

4. Health Professionals

Almost the same as the previous option. A cosmopolitan world increases the proliferation of migratory flows. Being able to assist anyone in a language you and other people understand increases your chances of being hired.

Nursing, medicine or interpreting are the most in-demand jobs for a Spanish speaker or a person who is fluent in Spanish.

5. Social Worker

Another profession you can benefit from in a world in constant movement.

Guiding foreigners arriving in your country as a Spanish speaker or leading with your experience as a foreigner who speaks and writes perfect Spanish are the best opportunities for this job.

In addition, helping others with their problems and finding a solution on a personal and intimate level is a bonus.

6. Service Sector

As a foreigner who is fluent in Spanish in a Spanish-speaking country, this is your best option.

Jobs in hotel reception, as a tour guide or in the hospitality industry are the most sought-after. If you are fluent in Spanish, you are in luck, as it is more than likely that you will find your place in the tertiary sector.

As a Spanish speaker, you know that you will always have a place in the service sector both at home and abroad.

7. Customer Service

Phone calls are today’s problem solvers. In an increasingly digitised era, face-to-face contact is being replaced by phone calls and video calls.

Working in an after-sales service or in customer service, in general, is one of the sectors in which Spaniards and people with great Spanish knowledge are most in demand.

8. The Business World

Whether in a bank or a multinational company, communication in Spanish with both clients and other companies is more than necessary.

Fluency in Spanish will open the doors of local companies in practically any position in which you have good training and experience. Imagine if the company is large, your opportunities multiply.

Improve your Spanish and Increase your Chances

No matter how you look at it, speaking Spanish is an asset. If you are looking for jobs where knowing Spanish is helpful, prepare your CV along with your cover letter and go for it!

iScribo will help you proofread your CV and suggest improvements to make you stand out from the crowd. Why not give it a try?

Categories
Spanish as a language

9 Ideas to Increase your Spanish Vocabulary

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9 Ideas Para Mejorar tu Vocabulario en Español | iScribo

Spanish is a very rich language; the RAE dictionary has about one hundred thousand words, of which an ordinary person uses about three hundred a day. A person with a high level of culture can use up to five hundred.

Learning vocabulary in Spanish that is considered more advanced is complicated even for Spanish speakers.

If you wonder what is the best way to improve your Spanish vocabulary, iScribo shows you some tips. They are all compatible, in fact, you will see that you can use them all at the same time and that they complement each other. The more ideas you put into practice, the more you will learn.

1. Identify your Level and Needs

Before you know how to learn Spanish vocabulary, you need to be clear about your level of Spanish. If you are a Spanish speaker, you already know that you have a high level, but this does not always imply that your cultural level is also high. They are very different things and there is nothing wrong if your level is lower than other people’s – nobody is born knowing!

If Spanish is not your mother tongue, think about whether you already know how to express yourself in basic or complex sentences. This will be your starting point.

Once you know your level, think about what kind of conversations you find it hard to express yourself in or what area of knowledge you need to learn vocabulary for.

Do you need to know more medical vocabulary, or do you need to learn economic vocabulary?

2. Practise Every Day

If you are a Spanish speaker, open the dictionary and start learning words that are new to you. Then use them in sentences every day to get your brain used to them.

If Spanish is your second language, practise daily with friends or colleagues and, when you learn a new word, repeat it over and over again in different sentences and contexts.

3. Read and Write

Reading in Spanish helps a lot to learn new vocabulary in this language. Try to decipher the word you don’t know from its context and if not, look it up in the dictionary. Once you know what it means, write it down in a notebook you designate for this purpose or in your mobile phone notes.

Go back to step two and repeat these new words over and over again until you are familiar with them, and they come up naturally in Spanish conversations or texts.

4. Look up Synonyms and Antonyms

The notebook trick comes in handy for writing down synonyms of words and creating associations with them.

Use a word you know and write down synonyms around it so that you internalise the diagram and can use them. This way you will create your own concept map of synonyms.

For example:

                                                BOLSA (economy)

MERCADO DE VALORES               MERCADO BURSÁTIL         MERCADO DE ACCIONES

5. Play Games

Thanks to technology and artificial intelligence we can take advantage of our mobile devices to expand our frontiers. There are plenty of single and multiplayer vocabulary games. Download one of them and challenge a friend to a game of word formation.

If you are more traditional, you can use the newspaper every day to do crossword puzzles, you can learn a lot from these.

6. Study the Origin of Words

Knowing where words come from helps you make associations with them. If your native language is different from Spanish, you will find it fun to compare words in the two languages.

Etymology also helps you create word families to expand your vocabulary. Listen, read, look it up, learn and practise.

7. Use Key Ideas

When you see or deliberately look up a word you don’t know, make up three sentences with it and then, without looking at your sentences, rewrite them.

Compare what you have written down at the beginning with what you have written at the end. I assure you that as well as laughing, you will learn.

8. Curiosity DIDN’T Killed the Cat

Be willing to learn all the time. A positive attitude of the initiative will help your senses to be alert and absorb new words more easily.

9. Use iScribo

The daily use of a spelling and grammar checker gives you the advantage of learning in real time. There is nothing like writing in Spanish and having a tool trained by a team of linguists to help you improve.

Not only do the synonyms and antonyms function help, but it also improves phraseology and suggests words that fit better in each context. Try it and tell us about it!

To Practise is to Learn!

You can follow all these tips but I am sure about what is most important of all: never be afraid to make mistakes. Learning Spanish vocabulary means getting out of your comfort zone and that always gives you a bit of respect.

Use the words and make mistakes, this is what teaches you in life. Use iScribo to correct your document as you write so that you can learn and identify what you find most difficult to learn in Spanish. Tell us, do you know any other tips to improve your Spanish vocabulary?

Categories
Improving language

Best Way to Avoid Anglicisms in the Spanish Language

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Cómo Evitar Anglicismos Innecesarios en Español | iScribo

Do you know what anglicisms are? According to the RAE, an anglicism in Spanish is a word that is used in English to express something that could be said in Spanish. For example, start-up instead of ‘empresa emergente’ or remake instead of ‘nueva versión’or ‘adaptación’.

Nowadays, the use of anglicisms is overrated and is often totally unnecessary in Spanish discourse because there are equivalents in this language. The indiscriminate use of English voices not only impedes the proper understanding of the text but also alters the functioning of Spanish as a language.

Anglicisms Accepted by the Spanish RAE

The RAE has accepted and included in the Spanish vocabulary anglicisms that, due to their use, have become part of the language. This is due to the evolution of the language itself:

Chat, plotear or candidatar

Al llegar al trabajo, enciendo el chat para hablar con mis compañeros.

(When I get to work, I sign in the chat to talk to my colleagues.)

There are other anglicisms that have adapted their spelling, such as ‘rugbi’, but many people still write rugby. In this case, the RAE recommends that we write the word in italics when, for whatever reason, we decide not to adapt it.

The RAE allows anglicisms if the text requires their use due to its characteristics, for example if it is related to marketing or if it is a very specific technical text, the anglicism will be in italics.

Whenever possible, we will try to introduce the equivalent word in English and the anglicism in brackets so that, from then on, only the English equivalent is included in the text.

For example:

En Inglaterra, las escuelas se enfrentan a una ola de noticias falsas (fake news) que perjudican al alumnado. Estas noticias falsas están a la orden del día.

(In England, schools are facing a wave of fake news that harms pupils. Fake news is the order of the day.)

How to Avoid Anglicisms

When an English word comes to mind when speaking in Spanish, stop and think about whether it is necessary to use that anglicism. Surely there is a Spanish word you can use instead.

For example, we are going to suggest some alternatives in this sentence:

NO:

¡Me has hecho un spoiler del final del capítulo!

(You gave me a spoiler for the end of the chapter!)

YES:

¡Me has fastidiado/destripado el final del capítulo!

If you can’t find any Spanish words, you can use the quick search tool of the RAE or the Fundéu, I assure you that someone else has had the same doubt before you and the solution is just a click away.

Make a ‘lluvia de ideas’ (and not a brainstorming)

The brain is a muscle and, like any muscle, you have to train it to get used to it and to make it perform tasks effortlessly. With this theory, you can avoid the use of unnecessary anglicisms in Spanish.

Speak, stop, think and use alternative words. If you are writing, remember that iScribo detects unnecessary anglicisms and suggests alternatives so that you can write correct Spanish. This is also a sure-fire way to learn. Which anglicisms in the Spanish language do you think are more integrated into this language? Tell us in the comments.

Categories
Culture around Spanish language

Celebrating Christmas in Spanish-Speaking Countries

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La Navidad en Países Hispanohablantes del Mundo | iScribo

Christmas in Spanish-speaking countries mixes local tradition with the Catholic tradition, but the family bond is the most important part of the celebrations.

Family is what binds us all together during the most magical time of the year while celebrating Christmas in Spanish-speaking countries. From Christmas Eve gatherings to meals on the twenty-fifth of December, sharing these days of the year with your loved ones is at the heart of Christmas in Spanish-speaking countries around the world.

iScribo tells you the most curious traditions of some countries so that you can learn a bit of Christmas culture around our favourite language.

The nueve posadas and the Año Viejo

Christmas celebrations start in Mexico on 16 December with “las nueve posadas” (the nine inns), which represent Mary and Joseph seeking shelter. When they reach the ninth and final posada, which is a family home offered for the occasion, a great feast is held. The Christmas celebrations last until January.

In Argentina, the most curious tradition is in the cities of Buenos Aires and La Plata, where the inhabitants make a huge straw doll, the “Año Viejo”, which they burn in the New Year. The spectacle of fire can be seen from a long distance. Other countries such as Peru, Uruguay, Chile, Cuba, Panama, Nicaragua and Honduras also celebrate this tradition with modifications.

It is also a tradition to hang a red sock on the door of every house in the country.

The Inmaculada Concepción and the Día de las Velitas

In Spain, Christmas starts on the eighth of December with the feast of the Immaculate Conception. The Spanish decorate their homes with the famous nativity scene.

In the north of the country, it is traditional to eat lamb on Christmas Eve, and in the south, turkey. This is accompanied by countless starters and delicious fish and seafood, not forgetting mantecados and turrones for dessert.

Christmas culminates with the Three Kings parade on the 6th of January.

One of the most spectacular Christmas lights in the world is the one in Medellín, Colombia. In this beautiful country, Christmas begins with the “Día de las Velitas” (Day of the Candles) on the 7th of December.

In Medellín, Colombians decorate the river with lights and in Barranquilla and Bogotá they decorate the streets with candles.

During all the festivities, Colombians will eat the famous ajiaco from Santa Fe, lechona, natilla and buñuelos.

The Espíritu de la Navidad and the Avenidazo

Venezuela begins celebrating Christmas on 4 December with Santa Barbara, when homes are decorated. The “Espíritu de la Navidad” (Spirit of Christmas) is celebrated on 21 December, when Venezuelans light candles and drink tea, signifying prosperity for the year to come.

Don’t miss out the Christmas Eve dinner with hallacas, dulce lechosa and pork-based dishes on a night that culminates in the giving of gifts.

In Costa Rica, there is a tradition that is celebrated every year, this one between the fifth and eleventh of December, which marks the beginning of Christmas. This is “El Avenidazo“, where the Central Avenue of San José is closed to traffic so that people can dedicate those days to Christmas shopping. The tradition includes meals in the restaurants along the avenue and the throwing of confetti every other day to the rhythm of concerts. Costa Ricans throw the confetti to simulate the Christmas snow. Of course! In Costa Rica the temperature is very mild, even on these holidays.

Travel this Christmas and Write in Spanish

At iScribo we love the Spanish language, that’s why, as well as helping you to write better with our spelling and grammar checker, we bring you closer to the culture surrounding the language. Christmas in Spanish-speaking countries around the world is as special as it is diverse. What’s more, the way Christmas is celebrated in Spain crosses borders and has brought the very same Three Kings parade on January 6th to the centre of New York. Christmas traditions in Latin America are famous and worth seeing, their beauty is unique and unrepeatable. Do you know more Christmas traditions in Latin America? Tell us in the comments about your experience and let’s get to know together a little bit more about the diversity of Spanish around the world.

Categories
Spanish as a language

6 Christmas Phrases in Spanish for the Festivities

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6 Frases Navideñas en Español para estas Fiestas | iScribo

Nothing sounds better than speaking like a Spanish speaker. All languages contain a wide variety of expressions and sayings that enrich their culture.

Be creative this year when wishing a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year in Spanish. It’s not just about using Christmas phrases in Spanish, but also about using your imagination to surprise the people you love the most.

From Christmas cards to personalised videos, use a proper Spanish Christmas vocabulary this year.

The Funniest Ones

  1. ¡Te ha tocado el gordo!

“El gordo” is the biggest prize in the Spanish Christmas lottery. Precisely because of this, this Christmas expression is used on a daily basis throughout the year to express that someone has had a stroke of luck.

¿Te vas a Santander esta Navidad? ¡Caray! ¡Te ha tocado el gordo!

(Are you going to Santander this Christmas? Blimey, you’ve hit the jackpot!)

2. ¡Es más viejo que los Reyes Magos!

The Three Kings arrive every January 6th to bring presents to children. In Spain, it is very common to find the eternal debate about whether families prefer to receive a visit from Father Christmas or the Three Kings. Well, it seems that the Three Kings continue to win because they have been in the Spanish culture for more years.

Precisely, we use this expression to say that a person is quite old and does not adapt to modern times.

¡No seas más viejo que los Reyes Magos y deja que el niño llegue tarde a casa!

(Don’t be a traditionalist and let the child come home late!)

The Classic Ones

3. Que todos tus deseos se hagan realidad

At Christmas, we all want to wish our loved ones the very best, so as the holidays approach we want them to know that we remember them and that we want them to do well.

This is one of the many ways you can wish your nearest and dearest a Merry Christmas.

Por esta Navidad espero que todos tus deseos se hagan realidad.

(For this Christmas I hope all your wishes come true.)

4. ¡Feliz Navidad y próspero Año Nuevo!

Legend has it that you should wish everyone around you New Year’s greetings for good luck. Whether it is true or not, it is always nice to wish the best to others; they are small actions that enrich the soul and make us happier. Take the opportunity to express to your loved ones what they mean to you.

¡Os deseo a todos feliz Navidad y un próspero Año Nuevo! ¡Brindemos!

(I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Let’s toast!)

The Gastronomic Ones

5. Salir rodando

I suppose this is the most normal thing in all cultures, but at Christmas, we eat a lot. There is always a multitude of Christmas meals, such as work, family and friends. Some even take the opportunity to go out for dinner with school friends from when they were at high school or with people from the gym.

Well, from eating so much, we put on weight and figuratively, we get fatter and rounder, hence we can “roll around”. This is very common in Spain and Argentina.

Como sigamos comiendo así, vamos a salir rodando.

(If we keep eating like this, we’ll be full as a tick.)

6. Te van a dar las uvas

In Spain and in many Latin American countries, such as Venezuela, Peru, Argentina and Mexico, it is a tradition to eat twelve grapes at midnight on 31st December. It is the best way to say goodbye to the year that is leaving and welcome the new year.

These twelve chimes sound every few seconds, so you have to eat the grapes very quickly with each chime. This expression, therefore, means “to be late”.

¿Has comprado ya los regalos de Navidad? ¡Al final te van a dar las uvas!

(Have you bought your Christmas presents yet? You’re going to be late!)

Enjoy Christmas and write in Spanish

Christmas is a time to be with family and loved ones, but it is also a time to think about new challenges and get excited about new year’s resolutions.

iScribo is here to help you improve your written Spanish so that you can progress with the level you have in this language. Whether you are a native speaker or a beginner, everyone makes mistakes when writing. Try our tool this Christmas and discover its magic, ¡que no te den las uvas! Can you tell us what expressions you know and how you wish your loved ones a Merry Christmas? Leave us a comment and let’s share the most magical time of the year.

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