UNIT 9

DATE: December 20 th, 2018

TOPIC: Christmas vocabulary

Spanish Christmas Greetings

1. Feliz Navidad — Merry/Happy Christmas
2. Felices Fiestas — Happy Holidays
3. Próspero Año Nuevo — It’s used to mean “Happy New Year,” but it literally means “prosperous
New Year.”
Key Days/Events
4. Nochebuena — This term for “Christmas Eve” literally means “Good Night.” It usually consists
of a large meal.
5. Misa del Gallo — This means “Midnight Mass” or literally “Rooster’s Mass.” Many Catholic
families attend this mass at midnight on Christmas Eve as part of their annual celebrations.
6. Navidad — Christmas
7. Día de Navidad — Christmas Day
8. Día de los Santos Inocentes — This “Day of the Holy Innocents” is celebrated on December
28th. Though it has Biblical origins, it is now much like the American April Fool’s Day where
people play small pranks on each other.
9. Nochevieja — This term for “New Year’s Eve” literally means “old night.”
10. Año Nuevo — New Year
11. Día de Año Nuevo — New Year’s Day
12. Noche de Reyes — This means “Night of Kings,” referencing the Three Kings most Americans
are familiar with. Noche de Reyes occurs on the night of January 5th into the morning of the 6th. In
many Spanish-speaking countries (and indeed, many other countries around the world), most gifts
are traditionally delivered by the Three Kings during this night. On Christmas, the children just
receive small gifts.
13. Día de Reyes — This “Day of Kings,” is also known as “Epiphany” or “Three Kings’ Day.” It’s
on January 6th. This is the proverbial “12th day of Christmas” and is celebrated with food and gifts.
Though in the US this day is largely ignored, many people around the world (including in Spanish-
speaking countries) consider this the pinnacle of the Christmas season.
14. Vacaciones de Navidad — “Christmas holidays” or “Christmas break.”
Important Figures
15. Niño Jesús — Baby Jesus
16. Virgen María y José — Virgin Mary and Joseph.
17. Reyes Magos — This literally means “Magi Kings.” It refers to the “Three Magi,” “Three
Kings” or, as they’re most commonly known in English, the “Three Wise Men.”
18. Papá Noel — Rather than Santa Claus, most Spanish-speaking countries have “Father
Christmas.” He isn’t as popular as Santa, though, and he often leaves only a small gift on Christmas.
The Reyes Magos usually bring more gifts on the Día de Reyes.
Decorations
19. Árbol de Navidad — Christmas tree
20. Calcetín — Stocking
21. Luces navideñas — Christmas lights
22. Hombre de nieve — Snowman
23. Corona de Navidad — Christmas wreath
24. Flor de Navidad/Flor de Nochebuena — These terms for “poinsettia” literally mean
“Christmas flower” or “Christmas Eve flower” respectively.
25. Adornos — Decorations/ornaments
26. Espumillón — Tinsel
27. Muérdago — Mistletoe
28. Acebo — Holly
Holiday Foods
29. Comida del día de Navidad — This refers to “Christmas dinner,” though it literally means
“food of Christmas Day.” In Spain, this often consists of pavo trufado de Navidad (truffled
Christmas turkey) which is turkey rolled with truffles and various meats like pork and veal.
30. Tronco de Navidad — This literally means “Christmas trunk.” This term refers to a Yule log,
also known as a bûche de Noël. It’s a rolled cake decorated to look like a log. Because, you know,
nothing is more festive than eating a log. Mmm…woody.
31. Pastel de Navidad — This term means “Christmas cake.” Traditionally, these feature various
dried fruits. Unlike American-style fruitcakes, though, they often feature almond paste and icing.
32. Polvorones — The word polvorones comes from the Spanish word polvo (dust/powder). These
cookies are also known as “Mexican wedding cookies.” They’re buttery, crumbly cookies chock full
of chopped walnuts and joy. Plus, they’re usually dusted in powdered sugar, making them look like
tasty little snowballs.
33. Mazapán — This means “marzipan,” which is a sweetened almond paste. It’s a particularly
common holiday treat in Spain.
34. Turrón — This is a type of nougat. It can be flavored with any number of things including nuts,
seeds, chocolate or spices. Seasonings vary regionally.
35. Mantecados — This is a type of shortbread with nuts. But vegetarians be warned: It traditionally
contains lard.
36. Rosca/Roscón de Reyes — This term means “Ring of Kings.” It’s an oval pastry traditionally
consumed on the Día de Reyes. It’s often decorated with dried fruits. But bite carefully: A baby
Jesus figurine, toy, coin or dried bean is usually hidden in one of the pastries in any given box.
Whoever finds the hidden object is traditionally expected to pay for a party.
Festive Things
37. Tarjeta de Navidad — Christmas card
38. Regalo — Present
39. Nacimiento — Nativity scene
40. Villancico — Christmas carol
41. Espíritu navideño — Christmas spirit
42. Trineo — Sleigh
43. Cascabeles — This word means “bells,” though it’s often used to refer to “sleigh bells” in songs
like “Jingle Bells.”
44. Renos — Reindeer
45. Calendario de adviento — Advent calendar

advent the arrival of someone or something important

Advent the coming (or second coming) of Jesus Christ; the month leading up to
Christmas

angel a spiritual being acting as a messenger of God (usually shown as a human

being with wings)

Bethlehem the small town in the Middle East believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ

candle a cylinder of wax with a central wick (like string) which burns to produce
light

chimney a vertical pipe in a house that allows smoke and gases to escape from a
fireplace (Father Christmas traditionally enters a house through its chimney)

Christ the title of Jesus (also used as His name)

Christian a person who believes in Christianity; also an adjective

Christianity the religion based on the teachings and person of Jesus Christ

Christmas the annual Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ (Christmas
Day is on 25 December)
Christmas cake a rich fruit cake covered with white icing, eaten at Christmas

Christmas card a greetings card that people send to friends and family at Christmas

Christmas carol a religious song or popular hymn that people sing at Christmas

Christmas Day 25 December, the birthday of Jesus Christ

Christmas Eve the evening or day before Christmas Day (24 December)

Christmas holidays the holiday period for about a week before and after Christmas Day

Christmas present a gift or present given at Christmas

Christmas tree an evergreen tree (often a spruce) that people decorate with lights and
ornaments at Christmas

cracker a decorated paper tube that makes a sharp noise ("crack!") and releases a
small toy when two people pull it apart

Father Christmas an imaginary being who brings presents for children on the night before
Christmas Day (also known as Santa Claus) - traditionally an old man with a
red suit and white beard

fireplace a partly enclosed space in a house where people light a fire for warmth

frankincense a gum used for incense, one of the gifts that the three wise men gave to Jesus

gold a yellow precious metal, one of the gifts that the three wise men gave to Jesus

holly an evergreen plant with prickly dark green leaves and red berries

Jesus the name of Christ, the central figure of Christianity (believed by Christians
to be the Son of God)

Joseph the husband of Mary (the mother of Jesus)

magi the wise men from the East who brought gifts for the baby Jesus

manger a trough for food for horses or cattle (used by Mary as a cradle or bed for
Jesus)

Mary the mother of Jesus

Santa Claus an imaginary being who brings presents for children on the night before
Christmas Day (also known as Father Christmas) - traditionally an old man
 with a red suit and white beard (Santa Claus may be based in part on the
historical figure of Saint Nicholas.)

shepherd a person who looks after sheep

sleigh a sledge or light cart on runners pulled by horses or reindeer over snow and
ice

snow water vapour from the sky that falls as white flakes and covers the ground

star a bright point in the night sky which is a large, distant incandescent body like
the sun

the star of the star that announced the birth of Jesus and guided the wise men to find
Bethlehem Him

white Christmas a Christmas with snow on the ground

Xmas abbreviation or informal term for Christmas

Vocabulary

carol n (Christmas song) villancico nm

The children sang carols next to the Christmas tree.
carol singer n (person who sings Christmas songs) cantante de villancicos n común
+ loc adj
Christmas (festive song) villancico nm
carol n
I could hear Christmas carols being sung out in the street.
Desde la calle llegaban las voces de los niños cantando villancicos.