Semana Santa, or Holy Week in Spain, is a Christian holiday season widely celebrated throughout the country. This holiday has a long history in Spain, and traditions today are a mix of the old and new. In this article, you’ll learn what the most important holy days of this week represent, how the Spanish celebrate Holy Week as a whole, and more facts about Spanish Holy Week. Let’s get started! 1. What is Holy Week? In Spain, Holy Week is a major celebration period that starts on Palm Sunday and ends the day before Easter. Thus, this week is composed of six very important days for Christian Catholics in the country. However, four of these days tend to be more fervently celebrated than the others: Palm Sunday... Show more

On Mexican Flag Day (Dia de la Bandera), the people of Mexico celebrate their country’s flag and the aspects of independence it depicts. This is a significant holiday in Mexico, and one draped in colorful symbolism. In this article, you’ll learn about National Flag Day, Mexico’s gradual victory toward independence from Spain, and more fun facts about the Flag of Mexico. Let’s get started! 1. What is National Flag’s Day in Mexico? In Mexico, National Flag Day is a day set aside to honor the Mexican Flag. This holiday has its origins in 1935, when a Bank of Mexico employee (Benito Ramírez) set up a special honor guard to celebrate the Flag of Mexico. Five years later, in 1940, National Flag’s Day became an official holiday at... Show more

Conjunctions in Spanish are a crucial part of learning Spanish. They allow you to connect your thoughts, make comparisons, and put sentences together. Clarity is very important when you’re learning a new language. Not only because the other person will understand what you’re saying, but also because it will build your confidence. Do you remember when you first decided to learn Spanish? You may still remember how frustrating it was to try having a fluid conversation with a native speaker. You were trying to find the small words to express yourself properly. We all find ourselves saying: "I have a brother. I have a sister. I have a mother. I do not have a father." Well, this is what Spanish conjunctions will do for you. Learning... Show more

When learning about etiquette in Spanish-speaking countries, keep in mind that every culture is different, and even neighboring countries might have very different customs from one another. Sometimes, what might seem normal or even polite to you could be interpreted as weird or rude in another country. In the same way, something you find rude might seem common to someone else. Don’t worry, though. We’re here to help you not make the same mistakes other people have made! Maybe one of the first things you need to know here is that "etiquette" in Spanish is called protocolo or etiqueta. Even though protocolo is a bit more common, etiqueta is equally valid, so you can stick to whichever word you prefer! Another thing you might want to do... Show more

Epiphany Day in Spain is one of the most popular Christian holidays in the country. Each year, it’s met with an abundance of enthusiasm and many colorful traditions. In this article, you’ll learn about the Epiphany celebration in Spain as well as the stories behind the holiday. At SpanishPod101.com, it’s our goal to ensure that every aspect of your language-learning journey is both fun and informative—starting with this article! Ready? Let’s dive in. 1. What is Epiphany in Spain? On Epiphany Day, Spain celebrates the visit of the Reyes Magos, or "Biblical Magi," from the Orient to the newborn Baby Jesus. They brought him gold, incense, and myrrh as gifts. Some people also celebrate Epiphany as the day on which Jesus was... Show more

Writing and saying dates in Spanish is a must when trying to improve your understanding of the language. In today’s world, you may want to write an email, book your next holiday to a Spanish-speaking destination, or set up a date. Or maybe you’re just having trouble reading dates in Spanish. No matter your reasons for learning Spanish, learning how to write dates in Spanish correctly could help you avoid some hassle. It’s time to learn the dates in Spanish. Maybe you think it’s enough to translate the numbers and the months…but let me tell you that expressing dates in Spanish is different than doing so in English ( U.K. English or U.S. English). In this article, you’ll learn the rules for writing dates in Spanish, useful phrases for... Show more

Do you know the top reasons for learning Spanish? In today's world, you're very likely to have a friend, family member, or a loved one who speaks Spanish. Learning to name the family members in Spanish is the best place to start when seeking to learn their language, because family in Spanish-speaking countries is a strong institution. That’s also why these cultures are so welcoming. Learn the different ways to say "mother" in Spanish and "father" in Spanish. No matter the reasons you want to learn Spanish, practice how to say family member names in Spanish so next time you’re invited to spend your summer holiday with your lover’s family, you can impress them with your conversation comprehension. So how do you talk about the family in... Show more

The current Constitution of Spain went into effect in 1978, setting certain changes in motion for the country. In this article, you’ll learn about what those changes are, what happens on Constitution Day in Spain, and more fun facts about the Constitution of Spain! Understanding a country’s history and culture is essential is being able to master its language. And at SpanishPod101.com, we believe that learning Spanish should be both fun and informative—starting with this article! Are you ready? Let’s get started. 1. What is Constitution Day in Spain? The courts approved the 1978 Constitution on October 31, a referendum approved it on December 6, and the King signed and proclaimed it on December 27. It went into effect on... Show more

You're learning to speak Spanish, and it's going well. Your confidence is growing! So much so that you feel ready to share your experiences on social media—in Spanish. At Learn Spanish, we make this easy for you to get it right the first time. Post like a boss with these phrases and guidelines, and get to practice your Spanish in the process. 1. Talking about Your Restaurant Visit in Mexican Spanish Eating out is fun, and often an experience you'd like to share. Take a pic, and start a conversation on social media in Spanish. Your friend will be amazed by your language skills...and perhaps your taste in restaurants! Antonio eats at a restaurant with his friends, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment: POST Let's break... Show more

There are many reasons why it’s important to be able to say “sorry” in Spanish, or any other language you’re learning. It’s one of the first things you learn when you start learning a language, and we’re sure you know why. Not only is it useful; it also shows manners, and those are important to have no matter where you are. That said, you’ll be glad that you learned how to say sorry in Spanish culture! Here’s an example: Let’s say you’re on a trip to Spain, you’re walking down the street, and you accidentally bump into someone. They might not know you’re a tourist who doesn’t speak much Spanish, so you have two options here: you could choose not to say anything and look like the bad guy, or you could apologize and show how polite you are.... Show more