A comprehensive overview of Spanish vocabulary related to customs, traditions, and cultural practices, organized into thematic groups with example sentences.

Understanding the vocabulary of customs is essential for navigating cultural conversations and gaining insight into the traditions that shape Spanish-speaking societies. This section covers key terms across various aspects of customs, from celebrations and rituals to social etiquette and daily practices.

Celebrations

Celebrations are at the heart of cultural customs, marking important life events and community milestones with joy and symbolism.

Spanish Singular	Spanish Plural	English Singular	English Plural	Spanish Example	English Example
la fiesta	las fiestas	the party/celebration	the parties/celebrations	Vamos a la fiesta de cumpleaños.	We are going to the birthday party.
el festival	los festivales	the festival	the festivals	El festival de música fue increíble.	The music festival was amazing.
la ceremonia	las ceremonias	the ceremony	the ceremonies	La ceremonia empezó a las ocho.	The ceremony started at eight.
el desfile	los desfiles	the parade	the parades	Hay un desfile en el centro hoy.	There is a parade downtown today.
el aniversario	los aniversarios	the anniversary	the anniversaries	Celebramos nuestro aniversario juntos.	We celebrate our anniversary together.
el cumpleaños	los cumpleaños	the birthday	the birthdays	Mi cumpleaños es en julio.	My birthday is in July.
la boda	las bodas	the wedding	the weddings	Asistimos a una boda elegante.	We attended an elegant wedding.
el regalo	los regalos	the gift	the gifts	Recibí un regalo sorpresa.	I received a surprise gift.
la vela	las velas	the candle	the candles	Encendieron velas en la iglesia.	They lit candles in the church.
el brindis	los brindis	the toast	the toasts	Hicimos un brindis por la salud.	We made a toast to health.

Rituals

Rituals often carry deep cultural and spiritual meaning, connecting individuals to their heritage and community.

Spanish Singular	Spanish Plural	English Singular	English Plural	Spanish Example	English Example
el ritual	los rituales	the ritual	the rituals	El ritual se realiza al amanecer.	The ritual is performed at dawn.
la ofrenda	las ofrendas	the offering	the offerings	Colocaron una ofrenda en el altar.	They placed an offering on the altar.
la bendición	las bendiciones	the blessing	the blessings	La abuela dio su bendición.	Grandma gave her blessing.
la procesión	las procesiones	the procession	the processions	La procesión recorrió las calles.	The procession went through the streets.
la purificación	las purificaciones	the purification	the purifications	La purificación es parte del rito.	Purification is part of the rite.
el ayuno	los ayunos	the fast	the fasts	Muchos practican el ayuno religioso.	Many practice religious fasting.
la consagración	las consagraciones	the consecration	the consecrations	La consagración fue solemne.	The consecration was solemn.
el incienso	the incense	Quemaron incienso en el templo.	They burned incense in the temple.
el símbolo	los símbolos	the symbol	the symbols	La paloma es un símbolo de paz.	The dove is a symbol of peace.
el recitado	los recitados	the recital	the recitals	El recitado de oraciones es común.	The recital of prayers is common.

Quemaron ___ en el templo.

What is 'incienso' in English?

candle

incense

offering

prayer

incense

'Incienso' means 'incense.' The other options are 'candle,' 'offering,' and 'prayer,' which are different ritual items.

Social Customs

Social customs guide everyday interactions and reflect the values of respect, hospitality, and community within Spanish-speaking cultures.

Spanish Singular	Spanish Plural	English Singular	English Plural	Spanish Example	English Example
el saludo	los saludos	the greeting	the greetings	El saludo varía según la región.	The greeting varies by region.
la sobremesa	the after-meal conversation	La sobremesa puede durar horas.	The after-meal conversation can last for hours.
la costumbre	las costumbres	the custom	the customs	Es una costumbre besar en la mejilla.	It's a custom to kiss on the cheek.
la visita	las visitas	the visit	the visits	Tenemos una visita importante hoy.	We have an important visitor today.
la despedida	las despedidas	the farewell	the farewells	La despedida fue muy emotiva.	The farewell was very emotional.
la invitación	las invitaciones	the invitation	the invitations	Recibimos una invitación a cenar.	We received an invitation to dinner.
la puntualidad	punctuality	La puntualidad es apreciada.	Punctuality is appreciated.
la hospitalidad	hospitality	La hospitalidad es parte de la cultura.	Hospitality is part of the culture.
el cumplido	los cumplidos	the compliment	the compliments	Me dieron un cumplido por mi vestido.	I received a compliment on my dress.
la conversación	las conversaciones	the conversation	the conversations	Tuvimos una buena conversación.	We had a good conversation.

Food Traditions

Food traditions are a delicious expression of cultural identity, bringing people together through shared recipes and festive meals.

Spanish Singular	Spanish Plural	English Singular	English Plural	Spanish Example	English Example
la comida	las comidas	the meal/food	the meals/foods	La comida es parte esencial de la celebración.	Food is an essential part of the celebration.
el banquete	los banquetes	the banquet	the banquets	El banquete duró toda la noche.	The banquet lasted all night.
el plato	los platos	the dish	the dishes	Este plato es tradicional de México.	This dish is traditional in Mexico.
el postre	los postres	the dessert	the desserts	El postre era flan casero.	The dessert was homemade flan.
la bebida	las bebidas	the drink	the drinks	Ofrecieron bebidas típicas regionales.	They offered traditional regional drinks.
la receta	las recetas	the recipe	the recipes	Me dio la receta de su abuela.	She gave me her grandmother's recipe.
la sobremesa	the after-meal conversation	Disfrutamos la sobremesa con vino.	We enjoyed the after-meal conversation with wine.
la tradición	las tradiciones	the tradition	the traditions	La tradición se transmite en la familia.	The tradition is passed down in the family.
el brindis	los brindis	the toast	the toasts	Levantaron las copas para el brindis.	They raised their glasses for the toast.
el comensal	los comensales	the diner/guest	the diners/guests	Los comensales estaban muy contentos.	The diners were very happy.

Life Cycle Events

Life cycle events mark significant milestones, and the vocabulary reflects the importance of family, faith, and community in these moments.

Spanish Singular	Spanish Plural	English Singular	English Plural	Spanish Example	English Example
el nacimiento	los nacimientos	the birth	the births	Celebramos el nacimiento del bebé.	We celebrated the baby's birth.
el bautizo	los bautizos	the baptism	the baptisms	El bautizo fue en la iglesia local.	The baptism was at the local church.
la primera comunión	las primeras comuniones	the first communion	the first communions	Ella tuvo su primera comunión ayer.	She had her first communion yesterday.
la confirmación	las confirmaciones	the confirmation	the confirmations	La confirmación es un acto solemne.	Confirmation is a solemn act.
la boda	las bodas	the wedding	the weddings	La boda reunió a toda la familia.	The wedding brought the whole family together.
el funeral	los funerales	the funeral	the funerals	El funeral fue muy respetuoso.	The funeral was very respectful.
el anivers ario de boda	los aniversarios de boda	the wedding anniversary	the wedding anniversaries	Celebraron su 25º aniversario de boda.	They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.
la quinceañera	las quinceañeras	the quinceañera (15th birthday girl)	the quinceañeras	La quinceañera estaba radiante.	The quinceañera was radiant.
el velorio	los velorios	the wake	the wakes	El velorio duró toda la noche.	The wake lasted all night.
el compromiso	los compromisos	the engagement	the engagements	Anunciaron su compromiso en familia.	They announced their engagement to the family.

This overview provides a foundational understanding of the vocabulary related to customs in Spanish, helping learners engage more deeply with cultural conversations and appreciate the rich traditions of Spanish-speaking communities.

Celebramos el ___ del bebé.

What is the Spanish word for 'the birth'?

bautizo

nacimiento

funeral

compromiso

nacimiento

'Nacimiento' means 'birth.' The other options are 'bautizo' (baptism), 'funeral' (funeral), and 'compromiso' (engagement).

Flashcards (1 of 50)

English Singular: the party/celebration
English Plural: the parties/celebrations
English Example: We are going to the birthday party.

Next Up: Regional Variations

Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025