Halloween is a widely celebrated holiday in many Spanish-speaking countries, especially in the United States and Mexico. The holiday, also known as “Noche de Brujas” or “Día de los Muertos,” is typically observed on October 31st and November 1st, respectively. Halloween is a time for dressing up in costumes, trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins, and attending parties with spooky themes. Many people also believe that the spirits of the dead return to the earth on Halloween, so it is a time for honoring ancestors and loved ones who have passed away. Whether you are a native Spanish speaker or are learning the language, it can be helpful to know some key Halloween vocabulary in Spanish to fully immerse yourself in the holiday.
List of Spanish Halloween Words
Spanish | English |
el brujo | wizard |
el hechizo | spell |
el vampiro, la vampira | vampire |
el gato negro | black cat |
El Día de los Muertos | Day of the Dead |
araña | spider |
el murciélago | bat |
la luz de luna | moonlight |
la máscara | mask |
la bruja | witch |
el sombrero de bruja | witch’s hat |
el fantasma | ghost |
Drácula | Dracula |
la oscuridad | darkness |
búho | owl |
truco o trato | trick or treat |
horror | horror |
el/la zombi | zombie |
la telaraña | spider web |
esqueleto | skeleton |
el cuervo | crow |
monstruo | monster |
los dulces, los caramelos | candy |
la momia | mummy |
fiesta | party |
hechizar | to cast a spell |
misterioso | mysterious |
la jack-o’-lantern | jack-o’-lantern |
la luna llena | full moon |
carabela | skull |
Día de Todos los Santos | All Saints’ Day (Nov 1st) |
el disfraz | costume |
la casa embrujada | haunted house |
aterrador | scary |
octubre | October |
escoba | broom |
What’s another word for Halloween in Spain?
In Spain, Halloween is often referred to as “Noche de Brujas” or “Noche de los Difuntos.” These terms are used to describe the night of witches or the night of the dead, respectively. However, it’s worth noting that Halloween itself is becoming increasingly popular in Spain, and the term “Halloween” is also commonly used, especially in urban areas and among younger generations.