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How to Say "concert" in Spanish

English → Spanish

concierto

kon-syér-tokonˈsjeɾto

NounA1General
Use 'concierto' for general musical performances, from large stadium shows to orchestral events, and any event where a musical group performs.
A small orchestra consisting of a violinist and a cellist performing on a brightly lit stage for a small, attentive audience.

Examples

Fui a un concierto de rock anoche, fue increíble.

I went to a rock concert last night, it was incredible.

¿A qué hora empieza el concierto de la orquesta sinfónica?

What time does the symphony orchestra concert start?

Compramos entradas para el concierto benéfico del sábado.

We bought tickets for the benefit concert on Saturday.

Gender Check

Remember that 'concierto' is always a masculine word, so you must use 'el concierto' or 'un concierto' when talking about it.

recital

rreh-see-TAHLre.θiˈtal

NounA2General
Use 'recital' specifically for performances by a single musician (like a pianist or guitarist) or a very small group, often in a more formal or intimate setting.
A young girl playing a grand piano on a wooden stage in front of a red curtain.

Examples

El pianista dará un recital en el teatro nacional.

The pianist will give a recital at the national theater.

Fuimos a un recital de poesía muy emotivo.

We went to a very emotional poetry reading.

El recital de fin de curso de los alumnos fue un éxito.

The students' end-of-year performance was a success.

Making it Plural

For words ending in the letter 'l' like 'recital', just add '-es' to the end to make it plural: 'los recitales'.

Word Gender

This word is masculine, so you should always use masculine markers like 'el' or 'un' (e.g., 'un recital fantástico').

Recital vs. Concierto

Mistake: “Using 'concierto' for a solo poetry reading.”

Correction: Use 'recital' for soloists or poetry. While 'concierto' is used for bands and orchestras, 'recital' is preferred for individual artistic displays.

Concierto vs. Recital

The main confusion arises when deciding between 'concierto' and 'recital'. Remember that 'concierto' is the default for most musical events, while 'recital' is a more specific term for soloists or small chamber groups.

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