celebrar
/the-leh-BRAR/
celebrate
Use "celebrar" to talk about celebrating a special occasion, like a birthday or an achievement.
celebrar(verb)
celebrate
?a birthday, holiday, or achievement
commemorate
?a historical event
📝 In Action
Vamos a celebrar el cumpleaños de mi abuela el sábado.
A1We are going to celebrate my grandmother's birthday on Saturday.
Los aficionados celebraron la victoria del equipo en la calle.
A2The fans celebrated the team's victory in the street.
¿Qué vas a celebrar si apruebas el examen?
A2What are you going to celebrate if you pass the exam?
💡 Grammar Points
Regular -AR Verb
Celebrar follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ar, making its conjugations easy to predict.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'celebrar' and 'festejar'
Mistake: "Sometimes using 'celebrar' when describing the act of partying."
Correction: While 'celebrar' is correct, 'festejar' often implies more excitement, drinking, or general revelry. 'Celebrar' is broader and more formal.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Direct Object
You always celebrate something. The thing you celebrate is the direct object (e.g., 'celebrar el aniversario').
In formal contexts, "celebrar" can mean to hold or conduct an event, such as a meeting or ceremony.
celebrar(verb)
hold
?a meeting, ceremony, or mass
,conduct
?a session or event
officiate
?a religious ceremony
📝 In Action
El director decidió celebrar la reunión de emergencia a las dos.
B1The director decided to hold the emergency meeting at two o'clock.
En esta iglesia, el sacerdote celebra misa todos los días.
B2In this church, the priest celebrates (holds) mass every day.
💡 Grammar Points
Formal Context
When used this way, 'celebrar' implies a formal or structured event, like a court session or a large conference.
When used passively with 'se', "celebrar" describes an event that is being held or taking place.
celebrar(verb)
be held
?passive sense, used with 'se'
,take place
?referring to an event location/time
📝 In Action
La boda se celebrará en la capital el próximo mes.
B1The wedding will be held (or will take place) in the capital next month.
Ayer se celebró una manifestación en contra de la nueva ley.
B2Yesterday, a demonstration against the new law was held.
💡 Grammar Points
The Impersonal 'Se'
Using 'se celebra' is a common way to say something 'is held' without naming who is doing the holding (the agent). Pay attention to matching 'se celebra' (singular) or 'se celebran' (plural) to the event.
⭐ Usage Tips
Passive Construction
Think of 'se celebra' as the Spanish way of saying 'it is celebrated/held,' similar to the passive voice in English.
"Celebrar" is used when two parties officially conclude or finalize a formal agreement or treaty.
celebrar(verb)
conclude
?a treaty or agreement
,execute
?a formal contract
enter into
?a pact or alliance
📝 In Action
Los dos países celebraron un tratado de paz después de la guerra.
C1The two countries concluded a peace treaty after the war.
El abogado nos ayudó a celebrar el contrato de arrendamiento.
C2The lawyer helped us execute the lease agreement.
💡 Grammar Points
Legal Language
In formal documents, 'celebrar' is the technical term for the final act of signing or enacting a legally binding document.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: celebrar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'celebrar' in its most formal, legal sense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'celebrar' always about happy events?
Not necessarily! While it usually means 'to celebrate' (happy events), it can also mean 'to commemorate' a serious historical date or 'to hold' a formal meeting, which might not be celebratory at all.
How is 'celebrar' different from 'festejar'?
'Celebrar' is the general word for observing an event. 'Festejar' is more specific and usually means 'to party' or 'to feast.' You can celebrate a birthday, but you fête (festejar) it with food and music.