Inklingo

How to Say "event" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “event” is “evento” — use 'evento' for a planned occasion, function, or organized gathering like a party, conference, or festival.

evento🔊A1

Use 'evento' for a planned occasion, function, or organized gathering like a party, conference, or festival.

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acontecimiento🔊B1

Use 'acontecimiento' for a significant or noteworthy happening, often with a historical or personal impact.

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suceso🔊B1

Use 'suceso' to refer to a thing that happens, often a notable or unusual occurrence, similar to an incident.

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hecho🔊A2

Use 'hecho' to mean something that actually happened or an occurrence, often used in a factual context.

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ocasiónA2

Use 'ocasión' to refer to a specific instance or a notable occurrence, often implying a special time or opportunity.

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episodio🔊B1

Use 'episodio' for a distinct period or occurrence within a larger sequence, often used for historical events or parts of a story.

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sucedido🔊B1

Use 'sucedido' for a happening or incident, often implying something unexpected or noteworthy that took place.

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acto🔊B2

Use 'acto' for an official function or ceremony, such as a graduation or award ceremony.

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accidente🔊B2

Use 'accidente' specifically for an unfortunate mishap or accident, such as a traffic accident or a medical event like a stroke.

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English → Spanish

evento

eh-VEHN-toheˈβento

nounA1general
Use 'evento' for a planned occasion, function, or organized gathering like a party, conference, or festival.
A brightly colored illustration depicting three smiling characters gathered around a small table decorated with colorful balloons and a wrapped gift, representing a planned occasion.

Examples

El evento de recaudación de fondos fue un éxito total.

The fundraising event was a total success.

¿Vas a asistir al evento deportivo este fin de semana?

Are you going to attend the sporting event this weekend?

La invención de la imprenta fue un evento que cambió la historia.

The invention of the printing press was an event that changed history.

Masculine Noun Rule

Since 'evento' is a masculine noun, always use the masculine article 'el' before it: 'el evento'.

Confusing Gender

Mistake: “La evento fue grande.”

Correction: El evento fue grande. (Remember that almost all Spanish nouns ending in -o are masculine.)

acontecimiento

ah-kon-te-see-MYEN-tohakontesiˈmjento

nounB1general
Use 'acontecimiento' for a significant or noteworthy happening, often with a historical or personal impact.
A colorful outdoor festival with a large banner, colorful flags, and a crowd of people celebrating.

Examples

La graduación fue un gran acontecimiento para la familia.

The graduation was a big event for the family.

Debemos informar sobre los acontecimientos recientes.

We must report on recent events.

El descubrimiento del fuego fue un acontecimiento histórico.

The discovery of fire was a historical event.

Identifying Nouns with -miento

The ending '-miento' is a common pattern in Spanish used to turn an action (verb) into a thing (noun). For example, 'acontecer' means 'to happen' and 'acontecimiento' is 'the happening'.

Always Masculine

Almost all Spanish words ending in '-miento' are masculine, so you will always use 'el' or 'un' with this word.

Confusing with 'Evento'

Mistake: “Using 'acontecimiento' for a small party or a meeting.”

Correction: Use 'acontecimiento' for significant, important, or public events. For a casual party or a scheduled concert, 'evento' or 'fiesta' is more natural.

Gender Error

Mistake: “La acontecimiento.”

Correction: El acontecimiento. Even though it's a long word, its ending '-o' tells you it is masculine.

suceso

soo-SAY-sosuˈseso

nounB1general
Use 'suceso' to refer to a thing that happens, often a notable or unusual occurrence, similar to an incident.
A festive celebration with balloons and confetti falling in the air.

Examples

Fue un suceso muy extraño.

It was a very strange event.

Los periódicos informan sobre los sucesos de la noche.

The newspapers report on the incidents of the night.

Nadie pudo prever este triste suceso.

No one could foresee this sad event.

It's always masculine

Even if the event itself was feminine, like 'una fiesta', the word 'suceso' is always masculine (el suceso).

Plural for news

When you see 'Sucesos' as a heading in a newspaper, it specifically refers to 'Crime and Incidents'—the section where they report on accidents or police news.

The 'Success' Trap

Mistake: “Using 'suceso' to mean winning or doing well.”

Correction: Use 'éxito' for success. 'Suceso' just means something happened, whether it was good or bad.

hecho

EH-chohˈe.t͡ʃo

nounA2general
Use 'hecho' to mean something that actually happened or an occurrence, often used in a factual context.
A magnifying glass examining a detail in a book, representing the concept of a 'fact'.

Examples

El robo a plena luz del día fue un hecho impactante.

The daylight robbery was a shocking event.

De hecho, prefiero el té.

In fact, I prefer tea.

El hecho es que no tenemos suficiente tiempo.

The fact is that we don't have enough time.

Fue un hecho histórico muy importante.

It was a very important historical event.

ocasión

nounA2general
Use 'ocasión' to refer to a specific instance or a notable occurrence, often implying a special time or opportunity.

Examples

En esta ocasión, la cena será en un restaurante.

This time (or 'On this occasion'), dinner will be at a restaurant.

episodio

eh-pee-SOH-dyohe.piˈso.ðjo

nounB1general
Use 'episodio' for a distinct period or occurrence within a larger sequence, often used for historical events or parts of a story.
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration depicting a wide, empty green field under a clear blue sky. A single, brightly colored red ball is bouncing high in the center of the field, symbolizing an isolated incident.

Examples

Ese episodio de su vida fue difícil de superar.

That episode of her life was difficult to overcome.

La crisis económica fue un episodio oscuro en la historia del país.

The economic crisis was a dark episode in the country's history.

El paciente sufrió un episodio de ansiedad severa.

The patient suffered an episode of severe anxiety.

Describing Severity

To talk about how serious an event was, you often pair 'episodio' with adjectives like 'grave' (serious), 'difícil' (difficult), or 'oscuro' (dark).

sucedido

soo-seh-DEE-doh/suθeˈðiðo/ (Spain) | /suseˈðiðo/ (Latam)

nounB1general
Use 'sucedido' for a happening or incident, often implying something unexpected or noteworthy that took place.
A sudden, bright red balloon bursts in the air, releasing a small puff of white smoke, illustrating a notable incident.

Examples

El noticiero reportó un extraño sucedido en el centro de la ciudad.

The news reported a strange incident in the city center.

Después de ese sucedido, todos se quedaron en silencio.

After that event, everyone stayed silent.

Queremos escuchar el sucedido desde tu punto de vista.

We want to hear the occurrence (what happened) from your point of view.

Gender Reminder

Even though it relates to the verb 'suceder,' 'sucedido' when used as a noun is always masculine: 'el sucedido.'

acto

AHK-tohˈak.to

nounB2formal
Use 'acto' for an official function or ceremony, such as a graduation or award ceremony.
Three people wearing formal robes standing on a podium shaking hands in a celebratory manner, representing a formal gathering or ceremony.

Examples

El acto de graduación será mañana por la mañana.

The graduation ceremony will be tomorrow morning.

Fuimos invitados al acto de toma de posesión del nuevo presidente.

We were invited to the inauguration ceremony of the new president.

accidente

ak-see-DEN-tayak.siˈðen.te

nounB2general
Use 'accidente' specifically for an unfortunate mishap or accident, such as a traffic accident or a medical event like a stroke.
A colorful illustration of a dramatic, sharp mountain range rising abruptly from a flat plain, representing a geographical feature.

Examples

Mi abuelo sufrió un accidente cerebrovascular el año pasado.

My grandfather suffered a cerebrovascular accident (a stroke) last year.

El guía nos señaló los principales accidentes geográficos del valle.

The guide pointed out the main geographical features of the valley.

Evento vs. Acontecimiento

The most common confusion is between 'evento' and 'acontecimiento'. Remember that 'evento' is typically for planned, organized functions, while 'acontecimiento' describes more significant, noteworthy happenings that may not have been planned.

Related Translations

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