Spanish word of the week: Nochebuena

This week’s Spanish word of the week takes a festive turn with Nochebuena.

Nochebuena is a noun that means  Christmas Eve (literally, ‘good night’) and you can find out how to pronounce it here:

function playAudio(url) { new Audio(url).play(); }

Nos reunimos en Nochebuena. We get together on Christmas Eve.
la cena de Nochebuena Christmas Eve dinner

Most Spanish and Latin American families eat their Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve, or Nochebuena, unlike families in the States or the UK, who usually eat their Christmas dinner on Christmas Day (el día de Navidad).

Traditional Latin American Christmas Eve celebrations also include going to Midnight Mass, la Misa del Gallo, named after the rooster (or gallo) that heralds the break of day.

Come back next week to learn a new word!

Other Articles

Spanish words of the week: herida or herido?

Here’s another opportunity to cut through the differences between a pair of related, similar-looking Spanish words. The two on the examination table today are herido and herida. Read More

Spanish words of the week: cartero or cartera?

Of all the similar-looking Spanish wordswith different meanings and uses that could have come knocking, today it’s cartero and cartera that have arrived at our door. Read More

Spanish words of the week: puerto or puerta?

It’s that time of the week when we navigate the different uses of a pair of similar-looking Spanish nouns with different genders, endings and meanings. Enter puerto (masculine) and puerta (feminine). Starting with puerta (feminine) you can listen to how it’s pronounced… Read More