Inklingo

How to Say "march" in Spanish

English → Spanish

marzo

/MAR-soh/ (Latin America) or /MAR-thoh/ (Spain)/ˈmaɾso/ (LA) | /ˈmaɾθo/ (ES)

NounA1General
Use 'marzo' when referring to the third month of the calendar year.
A small, partially melted snowman standing next to a single bright yellow daffodil blooming in green grass, signifying the transition from winter to spring.

Examples

Mi cumpleaños es en marzo.

My birthday is in March.

Mi hermana mayor nació en marzo.

My older sister was born in March.

Las clases terminan a finales de marzo.

Classes end toward the end of March.

En el hemisferio norte, marzo marca el inicio de la primavera.

In the northern hemisphere, March marks the beginning of spring.

Gender and Articles

All months in Spanish are treated as masculine, but you usually don't need the word 'el' (the) right before the month unless you are saying a specific date (e.g., 'el 5 de marzo').

Capitalization Rule

Unlike English, Spanish months are NOT capitalized unless they are the first word in a sentence.

Capitalizing the Month

Mistake: “Voy a viajar en Marzo.”

Correction: Voy a viajar en marzo. (Only capitalize if it starts the sentence.)

desfile

/des-FEE-leh//desˈfile/

NounA2General
Use 'desfile' for an organized public procession or parade, often with floats, music, or participants walking in an orderly fashion.
A cheerful scene showing a large, colorful parade float shaped like a giant animal moving down a street lined with cheering spectators, illustrating a public march.

Examples

Vimos un desfile militar en la plaza.

We saw a military parade in the square.

El desfile de carrozas de carnaval fue espectacular.

The carnival float parade was spectacular.

Todos salieron a ver el desfile militar por el Día de la Independencia.

Everyone went out to see the military parade for Independence Day.

La banda de música encabezó el desfile.

The marching band led the procession.

Masculine Noun Rule

Even though 'desfile' ends in '-e', it is a masculine noun, so always use 'el desfile' (the parade) or 'un desfile' (a parade).

Using the wrong verb

Mistake: “Hacer un desfile.”

Correction: Organizar/Celebrar un desfile. (We usually say 'organize' or 'hold' a parade, not 'make' one.)

marchar

mar-CHAR/maɾˈtʃaɾ/

VerbA2General
Use 'marchar' when describing the action of walking in an organized group, especially soldiers or a procession.
A line of three cartoon figures, perhaps soldiers or scouts, walking in step with determined expressions.

Examples

Los estudiantes marcharon para protestar por sus derechos.

The students marched to protest for their rights.

Los soldados marcharon durante horas bajo la lluvia.

The soldiers marched for hours under the rain.

La manifestación marchó por el centro de la ciudad.

The demonstration walked (marched) through the center of the city.

Regular -AR Verb

Marchar follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ar. Once you know the pattern for one, you know it for all!

Confusing 'Marzo' with 'Marcha'

The most common mistake is confusing 'marzo' (the month) with words related to walking, like 'marchar' or 'desfile'. Remember that 'marzo' is exclusively about time, while the others refer to movement or processions.

Related Translations

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