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How to Say "spring" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “spring” is “primavera” — use 'primavera' when referring to the season that follows winter and precedes summer, characterized by blooming flowers and warmer weather..

English → Spanish

primavera

/pree-mah-VEH-rah//pɾimaˈβeɾa/

nounA1general
Use 'primavera' when referring to the season that follows winter and precedes summer, characterized by blooming flowers and warmer weather.
A close-up view of bright colorful tulips blooming in a patch of green grass under a sunny, clear blue sky.

Examples

Mi estación favorita es la primavera porque todo florece.

My favorite season is spring because everything blooms.

En primavera, el clima es templado y agradable.

In spring, the weather is mild and pleasant.

Dicen que el amor es la primavera de la vida.

They say that love is the spring (or youth) of life.

Gender Alert

Remember that 'primavera' is a feminine word, so you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la primavera,' 'una hermosa primavera').

Using the Article

Unlike English, Spanish usually requires the definite article ('la') when speaking about seasons in general, such as when stating a preference: 'Me gusta la primavera' (I like spring).

Forgetting the Article

Mistake: “Mi estación favorita es primavera.”

Correction: Mi estación favorita es **la** primavera. (Seasons usually need 'la' or 'el' when used as the subject or object of preference.)

fuente

FWEHN-tehˈfwen̪.te

nounA1general
Use 'fuente' when talking about a natural source of water, often a small stream or a decorative water feature in a public space.
A tiered stone fountain structure in a sunny public square, with clear water streaming and splashing into the lower basin.

Examples

Hay una fuente muy bonita en el centro de la plaza.

There is a very beautiful fountain in the center of the square.

El pueblo obtiene agua de una fuente natural en la montaña.

The town gets water from a natural spring in the mountain.

Gender Reminder

Even though 'fuente' ends in '-e', it is feminine (la fuente). Always remember to use feminine articles and adjectives with it.

muelle

MWEH-yeh/ˈmweʎe/

nounB1technical
Choose 'muelle' for a mechanical, elastic coil used in machinery, vehicles, or furniture to absorb shock or store energy.
A single, large, silver helical coil spring standing upright on a solid-colored background.

Examples

El coche necesita que le cambien los muelles de la suspensión.

The car needs its suspension springs changed.

Esta silla es incómoda porque se le ha roto un muelle.

This chair is uncomfortable because a spring in it has broken.

El bolígrafo tiene un pequeño muelle para que el botón funcione.

The pen has a small spring so that the button works.

The Other 'Spring'

Remember, 'muelle' is only the mechanical object or the dock. The season 'Spring' (March to May) is 'primavera' (a feminine noun).

Confusing the Season

Mistake: “Me gusta el muelle.”

Correction: This means 'I like the spring/dock'. If you mean the season, say 'Me gusta la primavera'.

nacimiento

/nah-see-MYEN-toh//nasiˈmjento/

nounB1general
Use 'nacimiento' to refer to the specific point where a river or body of water originates from the ground.
Clear fresh water bubbling out of the base of a rocky hill, surrounded by lush green moss and ferns, marking the source of a stream.

Examples

El nacimiento del río Amazonas está en los Andes.

The source of the Amazon river is in the Andes.

Estudiamos el nacimiento de la civilización moderna.

We studied the origin of modern civilization.

Figurative Use

This meaning extends the core idea of 'being born' to describe where anything begins—rivers, ideas, or movements.

cuerda

KWEHR-dah/ˈkweɾða/

nounB2technical
Use 'cuerda' when referring to the coiled mechanism or spring that needs to be wound up in devices like clocks or toys to power them.
A tightly wound, flat metal spiral mainspring mechanism used to power a mechanical device.

Examples

Tienes que darle cuerda al reloj de pared cada semana.

You have to wind up the wall clock every week.

Ese juguete de cuerda ya no funciona.

That wind-up toy no longer works.

Season vs. Water Source

Learners often confuse 'primavera' (season) with 'fuente' or 'nacimiento' (water sources). Remember, 'primavera' is only used for the time of year. For water, 'fuente' is more general, while 'nacimiento' specifically means the origin of a river.

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