fiestas
/fee-es-tas/
parties
When referring to social gatherings, "fiestas" means parties.
fiestas(noun)
parties
?social gatherings
,celebrations
?events marking occasions
gatherings
?informal events
📝 In Action
Siempre hacemos muchas fiestas en el verano.
A1We always have many parties in the summer.
¿Vas a ir a las fiestas de cumpleaños de Ana?
A1Are you going to Ana's birthday parties?
Tuvimos que cancelar las fiestas por la lluvia.
A2We had to cancel the celebrations because of the rain.
💡 Grammar Points
It's Always Feminine
Remember that 'fiesta' is a feminine word, so when you make it plural ('fiestas'), any describing words (adjectives) or articles must also be feminine plural: 'las fiestas grandes' (the big parties).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'party' as a verb
Mistake: "Vamos a fiestar."
Correction: Vamos a ir de fiesta or Vamos a festejar. ('Fiestas' is the noun, not the verb to party.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'de fiesta'
To say 'to go partying' or 'to go out,' you often use the phrase 'ir de fiesta.' Example: 'Vamos de fiesta esta noche' (We're going out tonight).
"Fiestas" can also refer to public or religious festive periods, or holidays.
fiestas(noun)
holidays
?public or religious festive periods
,festivities
?public events or seasonal celebrations
festivals
?large, scheduled public celebrations
📝 In Action
Durante las fiestas de Navidad, la ciudad está muy decorada.
A2During the Christmas holidays, the city is very decorated.
Las fiestas patronales duran una semana entera.
B1The local patron saint festivities last an entire week.
Muchos negocios cierran por las fiestas de fin de año.
A2Many businesses close for the year-end holidays.
💡 Grammar Points
Referring to Specific Holidays
When talking about Christmas or New Year's as a general season, Spanish often uses the plural noun: 'las fiestas' (the holidays/festivities).
⭐ Usage Tips
Regional Differences
In Spain and Latin America, 'fiestas' often refers to major local festivals, like 'Las Fallas' in Valencia, which are public, historical celebrations, not just private parties.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: fiestas
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'fiestas' to refer to a season, not a specific social event?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'fiestas' and 'vacaciones'?
'Fiestas' refers to celebrations, parties, or public holidays (like Christmas). 'Vacaciones' means time off work or school, usually for personal travel or relaxation (like summer break).
Why is 'fiestas' plural when talking about Christmas?
Spanish often uses the plural form 'las fiestas' (the festivities) to encompass the entire celebratory period from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day, rather than focusing on a single day.