Halloween in Spanish: Vocabulary & Verbs To Know

It may not be as widely celebrated in Spanish speaking countries, but knowing vocabulary and verbs for talking about Halloween in Spanish is likely to come in useful at some point.

In this post we’ll cover all the basic Spanish Halloween vocab. For an intro to a related Latin American holiday that comes at the same time of year, check out our post on the Day of the Dead. These are just a couple of posts in our series about holidays in Spanish, from global phenomena like Christmas and Earth Day, to regional celebrations like  Carnival and Chinese New Year, to personal events like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and birthdays.

Now let’s begin with some basic words about Halloween in Spanish.

1) Truco o Trato

This directly translates to “trick or deal,” but in the context of Halloween it means trick or treat. As an alternative, you could also use dulce o travesura, which means “treat or mischief.”

2) Halloween

When the same word is not used in Spanish, “Halloween” (pronounced jalogüin) is translated as Noche de Brujas which translates to “witches’ night.”

3) Disfraz

For Halloween, you have to make sure to nail your costume or disguise.

4) Máscara

A mask, which could be the most important part of your costume.

5) Calabaza

It wouldn’t be Halloween without a pumpkin.

6) Terror y Horror

Both of these words have the same meaning in English.

The first is a strong feeling of dread, and the second is just a strong feeling (not necessarily fear) caused by something frightening.

7) Linterna de Calabaza

We already mentioned pumpkins (calabazas) but Linterna de Calabaza refers specifically to the Jack-o-Lantern decorations you’ll see on the porch or in windows of houses at Halloween.

8) Dulces, Caramelos y Tratos

Probably the best thing about Halloween – the sweets, candies, and treats.

9) Decoraciones

From the Jack-o-Lanterns to cobwebs, to a spooky skeleton on your porch, Halloween is a time to go big on decorations.

10) Fiestas de Halloween

Halloween parties, which could apply to a children’s party, or your favorite bar organizing a themed party.

 11) Esqueleto

A skeleton, which tends to be an obligatory sight during Halloween, as a decoration or perhaps a costume.

12) Fantasma

Boo! This one is a ghost.

 13) Gato Negro

Universally known as bad luck when one walks in front of you, the black cat is a common sight in decorations and scary movies alike.

 14) Murciélagos

Bats are dark, winged mammals that fly out in a swarm, normally at the least opportune moment during a movie.

 15) Casa Embrujada

A haunted house, which could be the spooky abandoned one in your neighborhood, or the commercial type with a paid entrance.

 16) Araña

A spider, one of the first things to come to mind at this time of the year.

 17) Espantapájaro

A scarecrow, perfect for a Halloween decoration, and also for keeping birds away from your crops.

 18) Telaraña

To describe a cobweb or spider web, we use the combination of “fabric” and “spider” in Spanish.

19) Bruja

The Spanish word for witchcraft.

 20) Mágico Negro

Don’t mess with black magic, people!

 21) Hechizo

A spell, be it from a witch, wizard, or warlock, will probably threaten to make objects float in the air. Because why not?

22) Cementerio

A graveyard, which may be found in your favorite casa embrujada on Halloween.

23) Tumba

Spanish for a grave.

24) Lápida

A tombstone, which in the context of Halloween could be a good addition to the decorations in your house.

Halloween in Spanish: Costumes

Until now, we covered a bunch of basic vocab for talking about Halloween in Spanish.

Now we’ll move on with a list of classic Halloween costumes that you’re likely to see every year.

 25) Mago o Brujo

A wizard or a witch, probably the two most recognizable Halloween costumes.

26) Momias

Mummies, not to be confused with mothers, but instead the embalmed bodies from Egyptian tombs, who normally come back to life for Halloween.

27) Demonio

A demon or a devil.

28) Zombi

You can guess this one easily enough: it means Zombie and is sometimes written exactly the same as you spell it in English.

29) Vampiro

Another easy one to remember. Of course, it’s a vampire.

30) Hombre lobo

When you put the Spanish for man + wolf together, we all know the result: a werewolf.

31) La Muerte

This one refers to the Grim Reaper or Death.

Halloween in Spanish: Verbs

Before we leave, make sure that you know some of the most used verbs when it comes to talking about Halloween in Spanish.

 32) Espantar o Asustar

To scare or to startle somebody.

33) Disfrazarse de

Once you have your costume, you’ll need the verb for saying to dress up in Spanish.

34) Embrujar

To haunt, mostly used in its participle form (embrujado), but also used to say that something is haunted.

35) Gritar

Halloween is full of surprise and horror, so gritar means to scream.

Spanish Halloween Vocab: Conclusion

We hope this has been a fun holiday exploration for you!

Whether you go out for a fiesta de Halloween, you dress up with una máscara or una disfraz, or you just stay home and carve up a Linterna de Calabaza, you’ve got the basic vocab to talk about Halloween in Spanish. Now to get more in the mood, why not read about some Hispanic superstitions or about the Day of the Dead?

Happy Halloween!