Seasons in Spanish, including vocabulary for each season, related activities, weather expressions, and cultural context.
Understanding the vocabulary for seasons in Spanish is essential for talking about the weather, planning activities, and describing time throughout the year. This guide covers the four main seasons, common related vocabulary, and example sentences to help you use these words naturally.
Seasons of the Year
Spanish has four main seasons, just like in English: spring, summer, fall (autumn), and winter. Each season has its own set of vocabulary for describing the weather and typical activities.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| la primavera | las primaveras | spring | springs | La primavera es mi estación favorita. | Spring is my favorite season. |
| el verano | los veranos | summer | summers | En verano, vamos a la playa. | In summer, we go to the beach. |
| el otoño | los otoños | fall / autumn | falls / autumns | El otoño tiene hojas de colores. | Fall has colorful leaves. |
| el invierno | los inviernos | winter | winters | En invierno, nieva en las montañas. | In winter, it snows in the mountains. |
En ___, vamos a la playa.
What is the Spanish word for 'summer'?
verano
The Spanish word for 'summer' is 'verano.'
Seasonal Activities
Each season is associated with certain activities. This table shows common verbs and phrases used to talk about what people do during different times of the year.
| Spanish Actividad | English Activity | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| salir a caminar | go for a walk | En primavera, me gusta salir a caminar. | In spring, I like to go for a walk. |
| ir a la playa | go to the beach | En verano, vamos a la playa todos los días. | In summer, we go to the beach every day. |
| recoger hojas | rake leaves | En otoño, recogemos hojas en el jardín. | In fall, we rake leaves in the garden. |
| beber chocolate caliente | drink hot chocolate | En invierno, bebo chocolate caliente. | In winter, I drink hot chocolate. |
Weather Vocabulary
Talking about the weather is a big part of describing the seasons. These adjectives and expressions will help you explain what the weather is like in each part of the year.
| Spanish Adjetivo / Frase | English Adjective / Phrase | Spanish Ejemplo | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| hace calor | it's hot | En verano, hace mucho calor. | In summer, it's very hot. |
| hace frío | it's cold | En invierno, hace mucho frío. | In winter, it's very cold. |
| está lloviendo | it's raining | En primavera, a veces está lloviendo. | In spring, it's sometimes raining. |
| hay nieve | there's snow | En invierno, hay nieve en las montañas. | In winter, there's snow in the mountains. |
| hace viento | it's windy | En otoño, hace mucho viento. | In fall, it's very windy. |
Cultural Notes
In Spanish-speaking countries, some seasonal traditions and holidays are important to know. These customs can vary by region, but some are widely recognized across many cultures.
| Fiesta / Tradición | Estación | Descripción | Ejemplo en Español | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semana Santa | primavera | Celebración religiosa antes de Pascua. | La Semana Santa es en primavera. | Holy Week is in spring. |
| Día de los Muertos | otoño | Ofrendas para recordar a los difuntos. | El Día de los Muertos es en otoño. | Day of the Dead is in fall. |
| Navidad | invierno | Celebración de la Navidad. | En invierno celebramos la Navidad. | We celebrate Christmas in winter. |
| Año Nuevo | invierno | Fiesta para recibir el nuevo año. | La fiesta de Año Nuevo es en invierno. | The New Year's party is in winter. |
___ es una celebración en invierno.
What is 'Navidad' in English?
Christmas
Navidad translates to 'Christmas,' a celebration that takes place in winter.
Summary
- The four main seasons in Spanish are primavera (spring), verano (summer), otoño (fall), and invierno (winter).
- Common activities include salir a caminar (go for a walk), ir a la playa (go to the beach), recoger hojas (rake leaves), and beber chocolate caliente (drink hot chocolate).
- Weather expressions like hace calor (it’s hot), hace frío (it’s cold), está lloviendo (it’s raining), hay nieve (there’s snow), and hace viento (it’s windy) are useful for describing the seasons.
- Seasonal celebrations such as Semana Santa (Holy Week), Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), Navidad (Christmas), and Año Nuevo (New Year) are important cultural contexts for understanding how seasons are experienced in Spanish-speaking countries.
Understanding these basics will help you confidently talk about the seasons, describe the weather, and participate in seasonal conversations in Spanish.
Flashcards (1 of 17)
- English Singular: spring
- English Plural: springs
- English Example: Spring is my favorite season.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
