How to Say "soap opera" in Spanish

The Spanish word for “soap opera” is “novela” — B1 level. This is a very common word in everyday Spanish.

English → SpanishB1

novela

NounB1informal

TV series

Two highly stylized characters engaged in an exaggerated dramatic confrontation in a richly decorated room, symbolizing a soap opera scene.

Examples

Mi mamá no se pierde ni un capítulo de la novela de la noche.

My mom doesn't miss a single episode of the nighttime soap opera.

El final de la novela fue muy dramático, todos lloraron.

The end of the soap opera was very dramatic; everyone cried.

Context is Key

When someone says they are 'viendo una novela' (watching a novela), they almost certainly mean the TV show, not reading a book.

See full entry for “novela” →

Related Translations

fiction book→novel→telenovela→

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