thanksgiving vocabulary in spanish

Learn Spanish Thanksgiving Vocab

By Hannah LeeApril 29, 2026

Turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie - Thanksgiving is a vibrant harvest festival celebrated in the United States, and like any cultural event, it comes with its own unique vocabulary. If you're planning to participate in this event and want to communicate in the language of the host, here's a comprehensive guide to essential Thanksgiving vocabulary in Spanish.

Understanding and using these Spanish Thanksgiving terms not only helps you engage with your local community but also enriches your cultural immersion. So, let's dive in!

Commons Thanksgiving Food: Dishes and Desserts

Of course, food is the star of the show at Thanksgiving. Here are some common dishes and desserts, and their Spanish counterparts:

Buttery mashed potatoes become 'pure de papas con mantequilla', apple pie converts to 'tarta de manzana', and the star of the show, turkey, is known as 'pavo'.

Commonly Served Sides

The side dishes that accompany the main course are no less important. Here are some you'll find on many Thanksgiving tables:

24 Spanish Thanksgiving Vocabulary Words for Spanish Class

Spanish Thanksgiving Vocabulary: FREE DOWNLOAD

'@nbsp; strong>Stuffing @nbsp; ' changes to '@nbsp; Relleno@nbsp; 'or '@nbsp; Pan duro@nbsp; ',

'@nbsp; strong>Green bean casserole@nbsp; ' becomes '@nbsp; Crujiente de alcachofas y vainas@nbsp; ',

'@nbsp; strong>Cranberry sauce@nbsp; ' is '@nbsp; Salsa de arándanos@nbsp; '.

Beverages and Desserts

Let's not forget the drinks and treats that complement the meal:

'@nbsp; strong>Pumpkin pie@nbsp; ' is '@nbsp; Tarta de calabaza@nbsp; ',

'@nbsp; strong>Cider@nbsp; ' is '@nbsp; Cidra@nbsp; ', and

'@nbsp; strong>Wine@nbsp; ' can be '@nbsp; Vino@nbsp; Tinto' or '@nbsp; Blanco@nbsp; '.

Thanksgiving Traditions and Customs

Beyond the food, there are many traditions and customs that make Thanksgiving what it is.

One thing to note - contrary to English, Spanish doesn't have a specific verb 'to give thanks'; instead, people say '@nbsp; Doy gracias.@nbsp; '.

Preparing for Thanksgiving

As the day approaches, people start '@nbsp; Planeando la cena@nbsp; 's or 'dinner plans'. The turkey, for instance, needs '@nbsp; Tiempo de cocción@nbsp; ' or 'cooking time', and '@nbsp; Ingredientes@nbsp; ' or 'ingredients' for the side dishes must be '@nbsp; Comprados@nbsp; ' or 'bought'.

The Feast and Beyond

On the big day, everyone '@nbsp; Disfruta@nbsp; 's or 'enjoys' the '@nbsp; Banquete@nbsp; 's or 'feast'. Afterward, people often '@nbsp; roni@nbsp; 's or 'watch' football (@nbsp; Fútbol Americano@nbsp; 'in Spanish), and '@nbsp; Muchos@nbsp; ' or 'many' participate in '@nbsp; El Día de Acción de Gracias@nbsp; ' or 'Thanksgiving Day' parades.

Spanish-Homophone Thanksgiving Words

Lastly, let's look at a couple of English Thanksgiving words that have the same pronunciation in Spanish, although their meanings are quite different:

'@nbsp; Pavo@nbsp; ' in English is turkey, but in Spanish, it also means '@nbsp; Pavo@nbsp; 's or 'peacock'. Similarly, '@nbsp; Manzana@nbsp; ' is '@nbsp; Apple@nbsp; 'in English, but in Spanish, it can also mean '@nbsp; Apple@nbsp; ' or 'apple tree'.

So, as you celebrate Thanksgiving, remember to '@nbsp; Disfruta@nbsp; 'en or 'enjoy' the unique, cultural enrichment that learning and using Spanish brings to this special occasion. Perhaps you'll '@nbsp; Empiezas@nbsp; 't or 'start' a new tradition of '@nbsp; Celebrar@nbsp; ' or 'celebrating' Thanksgiving in Spanish with your friends and family!