Inklingo
← Dictionary

víspera

BEE-speh-rah/ˈbispeɾa/

eve, day before

Also: brink, lead-up
NounfB1
Latin America
A cozy living room at night with a decorated Christmas tree and stockings hanging by a lit fireplace.

📝 In Action

La víspera de Navidad es mi época favorita del año.

A2

Christmas Eve is my favorite time of year.

Estudió mucho en la víspera del examen.

B1

He studied a lot on the day before the exam.

El país se encontraba en la víspera de una revolución.

C1

The country was on the brink of a revolution.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • día anterior (previous day)
  • precedencia (precedence)

Antonyms

  • día después (day after)
  • posdata (aftermath (informal context))

Common Collocations

  • en la víspera de – on the eve of
  • víspera de festivo – the day before a public holiday
  • vísperas de Año Nuevo – New Year's Eve (period)

Idioms & Expressions

  • no estar para vísperas – to not be in the mood for games or delays

vespers

NounfC1formal
The interior of a peaceful church with sunset light streaming through stained glass windows while people sit in pews.

📝 In Action

Las vísperas se celebran cuando cae el sol.

C1

Vespers are celebrated when the sun sets.

Escuchamos el canto de las vísperas en la catedral.

C2

We heard the chanting of the vespers in the cathedral.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • cantar vísperas – to sing/chant vespers
  • oficio de vísperas – vespers service

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "víspera" in Spanish:

day before→eve→vespers→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: víspera

Question 1 of 3

Which of these is the most common use for 'víspera'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
vespertino(evening-related / happening in the evening) — Adjective
vísperas(the period leading up to / vespers) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
nísperaáspera
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'vespera', meaning 'evening'. It originally referred to the time of day before the next day began at sunset.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: vespersItalian: vespro

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'víspera' mean 'yesterday'?

No. 'Ayer' is yesterday relative to today. 'Víspera' is the day before a specific named event, like a wedding or Christmas.

Is it 'víspera' or 'vísperas'?

Both are correct! 'La víspera' usually refers to one specific day, while 'las vísperas' can refer to the general time leading up to something or the religious evening prayer.

How do I say 'New Year's Eve'?

While you can say 'la víspera de Año Nuevo', most Spanish speakers use the specific name 'Nochevieja'.