Learn Easter and Holy Week terms, religious traditions and seasonal celebration vocabulary.
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Spanish Easter and Holy Week names
La Pascua de Resurrección is Easter; la Semana Santa is Holy Week. La Cuaresma is Lent, the period preceding Easter.
The holiday falls on different dates each year. Learn calendar vocabulary in months in Spanish.
la PascuaEaster · lah PAHS-kwah
la Semana SantaHoly Week · lah seh-MAH-nah SAHN-tah
la CuaresmaLent · lah kwah-REHS-mah
el Miércoles de CenizaAsh Wednesday · el MYEHR-koh-lehs deh seh-NEE-sah
el Domingo de RamosPalm Sunday · el doh-MEEN-goh deh RAH-mohs
el Jueves SantoMaundy Thursday · el HWEH-behs SAHN-toh
el Viernes SantoGood Friday · el BYEHR-nehs SAHN-toh
el Sábado SantoHoly Saturday · el SAH-bah-doh SAHN-toh
el Domingo de ResurrecciónEaster Sunday · el doh-MEEN-goh deh reh-soo-rehk-SYOHN
la resurrecciónresurrection · lah reh-soo-rehk-SYOHN
Spanish Holy Week religious vocabulary
La procesión is a religious procession. In Spanish Holy Week traditions, el paso can mean the platform carrying a religious sculpture.
Customs differ across regions. La cofradía is a religious brotherhood or association, and a costalero carries a processional platform in particular traditions.
la procesiónprocession · lah proh-seh-SYOHN
la cruzcross · lah KROOS
la palmapalm frond · lah PAHL-mah
el ciriocandle (large ceremonial) · el SEE-ryoh
la cofradíareligious brotherhood · lah koh-frah-DEE-ah
el pasoprocessional float · el PAH-soh
el costaleroprocessional float bearer · el kohs-tah-LEH-roh
el penitentepenitent · el peh-nee-TEHN-teh
la oraciónprayer · lah oh-rah-SYOHN
el ayunofasting · el ah-YOO-noh
Spanish Easter food and celebration words
Eggs and Easter bunnies appear in some celebrations; they are not universal features of Holy Week. La torrija is a sweet soaked-bread dish associated with the season in Spain.
el huevo de PascuaEaster egg · el WEH-boh deh PAHS-kwah
el conejo de PascuaEaster bunny · el koh-NEH-hoh deh PAHS-kwah
el huevo de chocolatechocolate egg · el WEH-boh deh choh-koh-LAH-teh
la búsqueda de huevosegg hunt · lah BOOS-keh-dah deh WEH-bohs
la cestabasket · lah SEHS-tah
el pollitochick · el poh-YEE-toh
el corderolamb · el kor-DEH-roh
la torrijaSpanish soaked-bread sweet · lah toh-REE-hah
el bacalaocod · el bah-kah-LAH-oh
las vacaciones de Semana SantaEaster vacation · lahs bah-kah-SYOH-nehs deh seh-MAH-nah SAHN-tah
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Easter Words in Spanish: the full list
Review the vocabulary by topic, then use the printable worksheet to check your recall.
Quick answer:Easter is la Pascua, Holy Week is la Semana Santa, Lent is la Cuaresma, Ash Wednesday is el Miércoles de Ceniza, Palm Sunday is el Domingo de Ramos, Maundy Thursday is el Jueves Santo, Good Friday is el Viernes Santo, Holy Saturday is el Sábado Santo, Easter Sunday is el Domingo de Resurrección, and resurrection is la resurrección.
Pascua or Pascua de Resurrección means Easter. Pascua can refer to other religious festivals in different expressions, so context matters.
Is Semana Santa the same as Easter?
Semana Santa is Holy Week, the week leading to Easter. Pascua de Resurrección refers to Easter itself.
What is Good Friday in Spanish?
Good Friday is Viernes Santo. The Spanish name uses santo, meaning holy, rather than a literal translation of good.
What is a paso in a Holy Week procession?
A paso is a platform carrying a religious image or group of sculptures. In other contexts, paso can mean a step or passage.
What are torrijas?
Torrijas are sweet slices of soaked bread, commonly coated in egg and fried. They are associated with Lent and Holy Week in Spain, with recipes varying.
Are Easter eggs part of every Spanish-speaking celebration?
No. Eggs and bunnies appear in some communities, while other celebrations emphasize religious services, processions or regional foods.
