Inklingo

How to Say "festival" in Spanish

English → Spanish

fiesta

fyes-tahˈfjesta

nounA2general
Use 'fiesta' for public, often traditional or religious, celebrations that might have a strong community or historical element.
A vibrant, colorful public street festival scene with people dancing under strings of decorative paper banners (papel picado) and falling confetti.

Examples

La Fiesta de San Fermín en Pamplona es mundialmente famosa.

The Festival of San Fermín in Pamplona is world-famous.

El primero de mayo es fiesta en muchos países.

The first of May is a holiday in many countries.

Cada pueblo tiene su propia fiesta patronal para celebrar a su santo.

Each town has its own patron saint's festival to celebrate its saint.

festival

fes-tee-VAHLfestiˈβal

nounA2general
Choose 'festival' for organized public events focused on specific cultural areas like music, film, or arts.
A simple storybook illustration of a lively outdoor music festival. A performer is on a large stage, and a diverse crowd of tiny, colorful people are gathered below, cheering.

Examples

El festival de cine de San Sebastián es muy famoso.

The San Sebastián film festival is very famous.

Este verano asistiremos al festival de música electrónica.

This summer we will attend the electronic music festival.

Hubo un festival gastronómico con comida de todo el mundo.

There was a food festival with cuisine from all over the world.

Masculine Noun Rule

Even though 'festival' ends in -al, it is always a masculine noun. Always use 'el' or 'un' before it (el festival, un festival).

Misusing Gender

Mistake: “Saying 'La festival' (The festival).”

Correction: The correct form is 'El festival' because the word is masculine.

carnaval

kar-na-BALkaɾnaˈβal

nounA2general
Use 'carnaval' specifically for large public celebrations characterized by parades, costumes, and often a lively, boisterous atmosphere.
A colorful parade scene with people in vibrant costumes and masks throwing confetti.

Examples

El carnaval de Río de Janeiro es el más grande del mundo.

The Rio de Janeiro carnival is the biggest in the world.

Mucha gente usa máscaras y disfraces durante el carnaval.

Many people wear masks and costumes during the carnival.

Fuimos a Cádiz para ver los desfiles de carnaval.

We went to Cadiz to see the carnival parades.

Masculine Word Rule

This word is masculine, so you should always use 'el' or 'un'. A helpful pattern is that most Spanish words ending in 'l' are masculine.

Making it Plural

To talk about multiple carnivals, add '-es' to the end: 'los carnavales'.

The Gender Trap

Mistake: “Me gusta la carnaval.”

Correction: Me gusta el carnaval. Even though 'fiesta' (party) is feminine, 'carnaval' is a masculine word.

Fiesta vs. Festival

The most common confusion is between 'fiesta' and 'festival'. While 'festival' is often used for arts and culture events, 'fiesta' is a broader term that can encompass religious, traditional, or community gatherings, even if they also have cultural elements.

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