Carnival: Spanish Vocabulary For Latin America’s Biggest Party

AdrianAdrian in Vocabulary
A woman wearing a vibrant red and yellow carnival costume with elaborate feathers and a sparkling crown, smiling joyfully. The colorful background enhances the festive atmosphere, reflecting a celebration typically associated with Carnival Spanish.

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If you happen to be in Spain or Latin America during the Carnival, then it’s important that you know the most common Spanish vocabulary for what is essentially the biggest party of the year.

Although you probably associate Carnival exclusively with Brazil, the truth is that millions of people across all Spanish speaking countries, including Colombia, Venezuela, Uruguay, and Paraguay, take to the street to celebrate this festival.

In this post, we’ll explore some essential Spanish vocab and expressions that you’ll need for Latin America’s biggest party, whether it’s Carnival in Barranquilla, dancing with locals in the Caribbean, or watching parades in Cusco.

1. Carnival – Carnaval

A purple and gold decorative mask placed on colorful confetti accompanied by vibrant, spiraled party streamers, creating a festive atmosphere associated with Carnival Spanish celebrations.

  • Uruguay’s streets are full of colorful and unique costumes during the Carnival parades –  Las calles de Uruguay están llenas de coloridos y exclusivos disfraces durante los desfiles de carnaval

2. Costume – Disfraz, Atuendo

A boy wearing a black Batman mask and costume, looking intently at another child dressed in a white outfit. Background with blurred figures and a vibrant outdoor setting.

  • My son Daniel just loved his Batman costume. Now, he doesn’t want to take it off – A mi hijo Daniel le encanto su disfraz de Batman. No quiere quitarselo ahora

3. Dancers – Bailarines(as)

A group of dancers performing actively on stage in a theatrical setting, illuminated by stage lights. The dancers, dressed in various outfits, are in dynamic poses, showcasing energetic choreography during a performance related to Carnival Spanish.

  • There are too many dancers on Venezuela’s streets during Carnival – Hay demasiados bailarines en las calles de Venezuela durante Carnaval

4. Mask – Mascaras

A woman holding a vibrant purple and black sparkly mask to her face, featuring sequins and feathers. She has long hair and red lips, set against a plain light background, emphasizing the mask's details. Relevant to Carnival Spanish.

  • Should she wear this mask or the creepy one? – ¿Ella debería usar esta máscara o la de terror?

5. Float – Carroza

A colorful float at a carnival featuring large jester figures with vibrant costumes. People in festive attire are gathered around, celebrating the event during the parade. The scene is lively and showcases the elements of Carnival Spanish culture.

  • There will be a float contest this year, and the winner is going to get $1000 – Habrá una competencia de carrozas este año, y el ganador va a llevarse 1000 dólares

6. Troupe – Comparsa

Participants in colorful costumes with feathers and intricate designs parade in the street during a Carnival celebration in Spain.

  • There are more and more troupes in Ecuador every year – Cada año hay más y más comparsas en Ecuador

7. Dance – Baile

A breakdancer performing a move on the street, wearing a green shirt and black pants. Pedestrians are passing by in a busy urban area, with some looking at the dancer.

  • Did Rebecca sign up to the dance competition? She’d smash that competition if she wanted to – ¿Rebecca se inscribió en la competencia de baile? Ella ganaría esa competencia si lo quisiera

8. King Momo – El Rey Momo

A young boy wearing a decorative paper crown and a floral shirt, looking contemplative. The background features soft fabric drapes, creating a warm, subdued atmosphere. This image evokes a sense of childhood imagination.

  • King Momo inaugurates the beginning of Carnival in South America –  El Rey Momo inaugura el comienzo del Carnaval en toda Sudamérica

9. Tourists – Turistas

A person with short hair and a backpack stands in a busy street, facing a crowded road filled with motorcycles and a bus, under bright sunlight.

  • Tourists from every single corner in the world get together to celebrate Carnival in Barranquilla – Turistas de todos los rincones del mundo se reúnen para celebrar el Carnaval de Barranquilla

10. Colourful – Colorido(a)

Three young women smiling and covered in colorful powder during a vibrant celebration. They are wearing casual clothing, and their faces display bright hues of pink, blue, and green, representing a joyful carnival atmosphere.

  • Why don’t we go to Barranquilla’s carnival? I’ve heard it’s very colourful and cool – ¿Por qué no vamos al Carnaval de Barranquilla? He escuchado que es muy colorido y chévere

11. Rhythm – Ritmo

Two individuals sitting against a black background, enjoying music. One person, wearing headphones, is smiling and dancing, while the other is holding a microphone and moving rhythmically. This image captures a vibrant moment of joy and engagement, suggesting a theme of music and entertainment.

  • The diversity of musical rhythms in Latin America is almost endless – La variedad de ritmos musicales en Latinoamérica es casi infinita

12. Parade – Desfile

Participants in colorful costumes and golden headdresses parade during a Carnival celebration, showcasing traditional attire and festive spirit, highlighting the vibrant culture of a Carnival Spanish event.

  • The parades of this year look promising – Los desfiles de este año lucen prometedores

13. Ash Wednesday – Miércoles de Ceniza, Cuaresma

A silver plate containing fine gray ash, resting on a wooden surface. The background appears blurred, suggesting a cozy indoor space, possibly in a context related to Carnival Spanish traditions.

  • Carnival is celebrated between January and March, just before Ash Wednesday – El carnaval se celebra entre enero y marzo, justo antes de la Cuaresma

14. Samba

Performers dressed in vibrant costumes with feathers in shades of orange and yellow dance at a carnival event at night, surrounded by an audience seated in the background. The scene reflects elements of a Carnival Spanish celebration.

  • Samba has a catchy rhythm, and I cannot help dancing! – La samba tiene un ritmo pegajoso, y ¡no puedo evitar bailar!

15. Concert – Concierto

A large crowd of people with raised hands at a concert, illuminated by bright stage lights. The audience appears engaged and enthusiastic, enjoying the performance. The venue has an upward-arching ceiling, enhanced by dramatic lighting.

  • There will be many important singers in that concert. If you wish, I could buy the tickets – Habrán muchos artistas importantes en ese concierto. Si te animas, podría comprar las entradas

16. Musician – Músico

Musicians playing saxophones on stage, highlighted by warm stage lighting. The image focuses on the instruments, with blurred figures of other musicians in the background, creating a lively atmosphere at a performance, possibly during a Carnival Spanish event.

  • What’s your mum favourite musician? My mother loves Frank Sinatra – ¿Cual es el músico favorito de tu mamá? A la mía le encanta Frank Sinatra

17. Carnival Queen – Reina del Carnaval

A young woman gently placing a sparkling tiara on her head, with her eyes closed, set against a blurred natural background. This image captures the elegance associated with beauty pageants, suggesting themes of 'Carnival Spanish' and celebration.

  • Lucia has been Carnival Queen for three years in a row – Lucía ha sido reina del Carnaval por tres años seguidos

18. Carnival King – Rey del Carnaval

A gold crown with decorative crosses and colorful gemstones sits atop a brown gift box, creating a regal presentation suitable for a themed event like Carnival Spanish.

  • Are you going to dress up as a Carnival King again? You should think it again! – ¿Vas a disfrazarte de Rey del Carnaval de nuevo? ¡Deberías reconsiderarlo!

19. Garota

A woman wearing an elaborate costume with feathers and jewelry, smiling during a carnival event, while other participants are blurred in the background. The scene reflects the vibrant atmosphere typical of a Carnival Spanish celebration.

  • The Garota dancers are wearing showy and exotic costumes – Las Garotas están vestidas con trajes muy exóticos y llamativos

Side Note

The word “Garota” comes from Portuguese language, and it means “girl”. But in Brazil, it also represents these emblematic dancers seen during Carnival Parades.

20. Melody – Melodía

Sheet music with musical notes and symbols printed on pages, tightly folded and layered. The composition shows various staves and notes, indicating a musical arrangement.

  • The melody in this Calypso song is so vibrant – La melodía de este calipso es tan animada

21. Confetti – Papelillo

A champagne glass tipped on its side, filled with colorful confetti in shades of pink, blue, and orange, scattered on a white surface. This vibrant display is likely related to festive occasions, including Carnival Spanish celebrations.

  • Martina had a lot of confetti on her head. Was she at a party last night? – Martina tenía un montón de papelillo en su cabeza. ¿Estuvo en una fiesta anoche?

22. Party – Fiesta

Silhouettes of people celebrating against a vibrant sunset over the ocean. The sky displays shades of red and orange as the sun sets on the horizon, creating a joyful atmosphere. This image reflects the spirit of Carnival Spanish.

  • They had a blast last month at the beach party – Ellos se divirtieron muchísimo en la fiesta playera del mes pasado

23. To have fun – Divertirse, pasarla bien/genial

Two children, a boy and a girl, are joyfully reacting in front of a laptop. The boy has his arms raised, and both are smiling broadly while watching something exciting on the screen, in a bright room.

  • We had fun last night at Veronica’s b-day party! We danced and drank beers – ¡Anoche La pasamos genial en la fiesta de cumpleaños de Verónica! Bailamos y bebimos cerveza

24. Fireworks – Fuegos Artificiales

A night sky illuminated with colorful fireworks in various shapes, exploding above a city skyline, celebrating an event such as Carnival Spanish.

  • Some people say fireworks are dangerous, but I love them, especially during Xmas –  Algunas personas dicen que los fuegos artificiales son peligrosos, pero a mi me encantan, sobre todo en Navidad

25. Party in the street – Fiesta en la calle

A large crowd of people covered in colorful powder celebrating at an outdoor event, with hands raised and a festive atmosphere. This scene captures the essence of a Carnival Spanish celebration.

  • There was a huge party in the street last month. I wish there is another one soon – Hubo una gran fiesta en la calle el mes pasado. Ojalá que haya otra pronto

26. Party-going – Fiestero(a)

A person with long, wild hair and colorful sunglasses, passionately yelling with their mouth open, against a dark background. The image conveys a festive, energetic vibe typical of a Carnival Spanish celebration.

  • Natalie has always been a party-going person, she can’t help it – Natalie siempre ha sido una persona fiestera, no puede evitarlo

27. To get together – Reunirse

Four friends smiling and posing for a photo at a lively event. They are holding plates and drinks, wearing casual summer clothing. The setting has colorful decorations, suggesting a festive atmosphere, possibly related to a Carnival Spanish celebration.

  • When are we gonna get together to celebrate your promotion? – ¿Cuando nos vamos a reunir para celebrar tu ascenso?

28. To dance – Bailar

A woman dancing outdoors, wearing a white tank top with 'ZUMBA' printed on it. Her hair is flowing as she moves joyfully, surrounded by greenery and soft light in the background, conveying an energetic atmosphere.

  • When David got married with Raquel he learnt to dance salsa and merengue, because she is Venezuelan – Cuando David se casó con Raquel, aprendió a bailar salsa y merengue porque ella es venezolana

29. To celebrate – Celebrar, festejar

A group of people sitting around a long table in a garden, raising glasses in a toast. The table is decorated with colorful flowers, and green trees are visible in the background, creating a festive atmosphere for a Carnival Spanish celebration.

  • We are planning to celebrate our anniversary next weekend. Are you coming to the reunion? – Estamos planeando celebrar nuestro aniversario el próximo fin de semana. ¿Vendrás a la reunión?

30. Booze – Alcohol, caña, aguardiente, chupito, bebida

A variety of bottles containing different spirits displayed on a shelf. The bottles include brands like Citadelle, Ungava, and others, showcasing a range of colors and designs.

  • Make sure to buy enough booze, because too many people have been invited to this party – Asegurate de comprar suficiente aguardiente, porque han invitado a demasiada gente a esta fiesta

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