bodas
/BOH-dahs/
wedding
Bodas means 'wedding,' referring to the ceremony or event where two people are joined in matrimony.
📝 In Action
Las bodas de mi hermano fueron muy elegantes.
A1My brother's wedding was very elegant.
Me encantó el pastel de las bodas.
A2I loved the wedding cake.
¿A qué hora son las bodas mañana?
A1What time is the wedding tomorrow?
💡 Grammar Points
Always Plural
Even when referring to one single event, 'bodas' is almost always used in the plural form in Spanish, just like 'scissors' or 'pants' in English.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Singular
Mistake: "La boda fue hermosa. (While technically correct, 'bodas' is more common for the event itself.)"
Correction: Las bodas fueron hermosas. (Use the plural form and plural verb/adjective agreement.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs. Informal
Using 'bodas' is slightly more formal or traditional than using the singular 'la boda,' though both are understood.
Bodas can also refer to an 'anniversary celebration,' often paired with materials like silver or gold to denote the milestone.
bodas(noun)
anniversary celebration
?when paired with materials like gold or silver
milestone
?referring to years of marriage
📝 In Action
Mis abuelos celebraron sus bodas de oro la semana pasada.
B1My grandparents celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last week.
Estamos planeando las bodas de plata de mis padres.
B2We are planning my parents' silver wedding anniversary.
💡 Grammar Points
Anniversary Pattern
To specify a milestone, you use the pattern: 'bodas de [material].' The material (like 'oro' or 'plata') represents the traditional gift for that year.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Anniversary Words
Mistake: "Mi aniversario de oro. (While understood, it sounds less natural.)"
Correction: Mis bodas de oro. (This is the standard, traditional phrase for the milestone celebration.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Cultural Context
These phrases are deeply rooted in tradition and are used for major, celebrated milestones (25 years, 50 years, etc.), not typically for annual anniversaries.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: bodas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'bodas' to refer to a 50-year milestone?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'bodas' plural if I am only talking about one wedding?
This is a common feature in Spanish! Just like words such as 'tijeras' (scissors) or 'gafas' (glasses) are always plural, 'bodas' is traditionally used in the plural to refer to the single grand event or the rite of marriage itself.
Should I use 'boda' or 'bodas'?
Both are correct. 'Bodas' is often seen as slightly more formal or traditional, especially when talking about the grand event ('Las bodas fueron un éxito'). 'Boda' is very common and completely acceptable, particularly in casual conversation ('La boda de Ana fue divertida').