Signification
A greeting used to celebrate the Christmas holiday.
Contexte culturel
The Christmas season starts with 'El Gordo' lottery on Dec 22nd. People often say 'Felices Fiestas' to cover the long period until Jan 6th. The 'Posadas' are 9 days of parties before Christmas. 'Feliz Navidad' is the constant soundtrack to these events. The 'Día de las Velitas' (Dec 7th) kicks off the season. People are very enthusiastic with their 'Feliz Navidad' wishes. Christmas is in the middle of summer. 'Feliz Navidad' is often said while eating cold dishes like 'vitel toné' and drinking cider.
The 'Igualmente' Trick
If someone says 'Feliz Navidad' to you and you're nervous about your Spanish, just say '¡Igualmente!' (Likewise). It's perfect every time.
Capitalization
Always capitalize 'Navidad' as it is a proper noun for a holiday, but 'feliz' is only capitalized if it starts the sentence.
Signification
A greeting used to celebrate the Christmas holiday.
The 'Igualmente' Trick
If someone says 'Feliz Navidad' to you and you're nervous about your Spanish, just say '¡Igualmente!' (Likewise). It's perfect every time.
Capitalization
Always capitalize 'Navidad' as it is a proper noun for a holiday, but 'feliz' is only capitalized if it starts the sentence.
Spain vs LatAm
In Spain, try saying 'Felices Pascuas' to sound more like a local traditionalist. In Mexico, stick to 'Feliz Navidad'.
Inclusive Greetings
If you aren't sure of someone's religion, 'Felices Fiestas' is the safest and most modern choice in big cities.
Teste-toi
Complete the standard holiday greeting.
¡______ Navidad y próspero año nuevo!
The standard singular greeting uses 'Feliz'.
Which is the most common response to '¡Feliz Navidad!'?
¡Feliz Navidad!
'Igualmente' means 'Likewise' or 'Same to you'.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: ¡Que tengas una ______ Navidad con tu familia! B: Muchas gracias, tú también.
Since 'Navidad' is singular, we use 'feliz'.
Match the greeting to the date.
December 24th (Nochebuena)
Christmas greetings start on or before the 24th.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Holiday Greetings Comparison
Banque d exercices
4 exercices¡______ Navidad y próspero año nuevo!
The standard singular greeting uses 'Feliz'.
¡Feliz Navidad!
'Igualmente' means 'Likewise' or 'Same to you'.
A: ¡Que tengas una ______ Navidad con tu familia! B: Muchas gracias, tú también.
Since 'Navidad' is singular, we use 'feliz'.
December 24th (Nochebuena)
Christmas greetings start on or before the 24th.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIn most Spanish-speaking countries, it's seen as a cultural greeting rather than a strictly religious one, but 'Felices Fiestas' is more considerate if you know they don't celebrate Christmas.
This plural form is common in Spain. It refers to the entire holiday season from late December to early January.
It is feminine: la Navidad. However, the adjective 'feliz' doesn't change its ending for gender.
There is no rule, but after the second week of December is very common. It peaks on the 24th and 25th.
Navidad is the holiday (Dec 25), while Nochebuena is the 'Good Night' (Christmas Eve, Dec 24).
Not when you are greeting someone directly. Just say '¡Feliz Navidad!'.
The most common way is: '¡Te deseo una Feliz Navidad y un próspero Año Nuevo!'
Yes, it is very common in business emails and meetings during December.
It comes from 'Natividad', which means 'Birth'.
It is always 'Feliz Navidad'. Never use 'de'.
Expressions liées
Felices Fiestas
similarHappy Holidays
Próspero Año Nuevo
builds onProsperous New Year
Felices Pascuas
synonymHappy Easter/Christmas
Nochebuena
specialized formChristmas Eve
