Inklingo

How to Say "cheers" in Spanish

English → Spanish

aplausos

ah-PLOW-sohs/aˈplaw.sos/

NounA1General
Use 'aplausos' when referring to the sound of people clapping to show approval, like at a performance or event.
A simple illustration showing two human hands meeting in a clapping motion.

Examples

El público mostró su aprobación con fuertes aplausos.

The audience showed their approval with loud applause.

Al final del concierto, los aplausos duraron cinco minutos.

At the end of the concert, the applause lasted five minutes.

Los niños dieron muchos aplausos a la payasa.

The children gave a lot of clapping to the clown.

Hubo un fuerte aplauso cuando anunciaron al ganador.

There was loud applause when they announced the winner.

Always Plural in Spanish

Even though 'applause' is usually singular in English, in Spanish, you must always use the plural form 'aplausos' and the plural article 'los' or 'unos'.

Using the Singular Form

Mistake: “Hicimos un aplauso.”

Correction: Hicimos unos aplausos. (We clapped/gave applause). Remember, the word itself is plural.

besos

BEH-sohs/ˈbe.sos/

NounA2Informal
Use 'besos' as a warm, informal closing in a written message or when saying goodbye to friends and family, similar to 'love' or 'kisses'.
A simple illustration of a white envelope sealed with a large, bright red lipstick kiss mark, symbolizing affection sent via mail.

Examples

Te quiero mucho. ¡Besos!

I love you very much. Kisses!

Nos vemos el sábado. Muchos besos, Ana.

See you Saturday. Love, Ana.

Te escribo pronto. Un beso enorme para ti y tu familia.

I'll write to you soon. Huge love for you and your family.

Writing Closings

When used in writing, 'besos' acts as a friendly closing signature, similar to 'Love' or 'Best' in English, but only for people you know well.

Using in Formal Contexts

Mistake: “Signing off a professional email to a client with 'Besos.'”

Correction: Reserve 'besos' for friends and family. For professional communication, use 'Saludos cordiales' (Kind regards).

vivas

VEE-bahs/ˈbi.βas/

InterjectionB2General
Use 'vivas' when people are shouting exclamations of support, celebration, or patriotic fervor, often in a group setting.
Two figures cheering enthusiastically with their arms raised high in a gesture of celebration and support.

Examples

¡Vivas a la patria resonaron en la plaza!

Cheers for the homeland echoed in the square!

La multitud gritaba '¡vivas!' y aplaudía sin parar.

The crowd was shouting 'cheers!' and applauding non-stop.

Se escucharon vivas para la nueva presidenta después del discurso.

Cheers (shouts of 'long live...') were heard for the new president after the speech.

Cheering in Plural

The singular cheer is '¡Viva!' (Long live!). When you refer to the act of cheering, you often use the plural noun form 'los vivas' or just 'vivas' to mean 'cheers' or 'shouts of support'.

Confusing approval sounds with written closings

Learners often confuse 'aplausos' (applause) and 'besos' (kisses). Remember that 'aplausos' is about the sound of clapping for approval, while 'besos' is a friendly way to sign off in writing or speech.

Related Translations

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