As the bewitching season of Halloween approaches, it’s time to unearth a trove of captivating Halloween Spanish words that evoke the spirit of this spooky holiday.
From “bruja” to “fantasma,” “calabaza” to “zombi,” the Spanish language weaves a tapestry of vocabulary that captures the essence of Halloween’s eerie charm.
Join me in this linguistic journey as we navigate through a plethora of Halloween-themed words in Spanish.
Whether you’re enriching your language skills or simply embracing the festive spirit, these words provide a fascinating glimpse into the fusion of language and culture that makes Halloween a global celebration.
At the end of this post, stay tuned for an upcoming list of enjoyable activities to engage in with your kids and family, allowing you to put these words into playful practice!
Spanish Halloween Vocabulary
Let’s dive right into this list of 70+ spooky words in Spanish to use this Halloween!
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Alas de múrcielago | Bat wings |
| Araña | Spider |
| Ataúd | Coffin |
| Aterrador | Scary |
| Bosque de las sombras | Enchanted forest |
| Bosque embrujado | Haunted woods |
| Bruja | Witch |
| Brujo | Wizard, sorcerer |
| Cadenas | Chains |
| Calabaza | Pumpkin |
| Caldero | Cauldron |
| Calle embrujada | Haunted street |
| Callejón oscuro | Haunted street |
| Callejuela encantada | Enchanted Alleyway |
| Caramelos | Candy |
| Casa embrujada | Haunted house |
| Cautela | Cautiousness |
| Caza de brujas | Witch hunt |
| Cazador de vampiros | Vampire hunter |
| Cementerio | Cementery |
| Colmillos | Fangs |
| Demonio | Demon |
| Día de los Muertos | Day of the Dead |
| Día de Todos los Santos | All Saints’ Day |
What is the difference between Día de los Santos and Día de los Muertos?
Let’s briefly pause to delve into these two holidays, akin to Halloween, celebrated throughout Spanish-speaking countries.
“Día de los Santos” and “Día de los Muertos” are two distinct holidays, though they both involve the remembrance of deceased individuals and are observed around the same time of year. Here are the key differences between the two:
- Meaning and Focus:
- Día de los Santos (All Saints’ Day): This holiday, celebrated on November 1st, is dedicated to honoring all saints, both known and unknown, in the Christian tradition. It is a day to remember and honor those who have achieved holiness and are believed to be in the presence of God.
- Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead): This holiday is observed on November 2nd and is a Mexican tradition that focuses on remembering and celebrating deceased loved ones. It’s a way to honor and commemorate family members and friends who have passed away, with a strong emphasis on celebrating life rather than mourning death.
Related: Day of the Dead Coloring Pages in Spanish (Free Printables)
- Origin and Cultural Significance:
- Día de los Santos: It has its roots in the Christian faith and is observed by Catholics and other Christian denominations. It’s a solemn holiday that involves church services, visits to cemeteries, and remembrance of saints.
- Día de los Muertos: This holiday has indigenous Mexican origins and has become a blend of indigenous beliefs and Catholicism. It’s celebrated with colorful altars (ofrendas) decorated with items that the deceased enjoyed in life, along with marigold flowers, candles, sugar skulls, and the deceased’s favorite foods and drinks. It’s seen as a way for the living to connect with the spirits of the departed and to celebrate their memory.
- Atmosphere and Traditions:
- Día de los Santos: It tends to be more solemn and religious in nature. People visit cemeteries, attend church services, and reflect on the lives of saints.
- Día de los Muertos: It is a more festive and lively celebration. Families gather to create vibrant altars, participate in parades, wear colorful costumes, and enjoy music and food. The atmosphere is one of joyous remembrance rather than mourning.
Related: 80+ Day of the Dead Quotes in Spanish
- Geographical Scope:
- Día de los Santos: It is observed in various countries with Christian traditions, although the customs and practices may vary from place to place.
- Día de los Muertos: While it originated in Mexico, its influence has spread to other parts of the world, and it is celebrated by people of Mexican heritage and enthusiasts of Mexican culture.
Now, let’s get back to this list of Spanish words!
| Diablo | Devil |
| Disfraz de monstruo | Monster costume |
| Drácula | Dracula |
| Dulces | Sweets/candy |
| Embrujado | Haunted |
| Escalera crujiente | Creaky stairs |
| Escalofrío | Goosebumps |
| Escoba | Broom |
| Espantapájaros | Scarecrow |
| Espíritu maligno | Evil spirit |
| Esqueleto | Skeleton |
| Extraterrestre | Extraterrestrial |
| Fantasma | Ghost |
| Fiesta | Party |
| Galletas de Halloween | Halloween cookies |
| Gato negro | Black cat |
| Gigante | Giant |
| Hechizo | Spell |
| Hombre lobo | Werewolf |
| Horror | Horror |
| Huesos | Bones |
| Lápida | Tombstone |
| Linterna | Lantern |
| Luna llena | Full moon |
| Magia | Magic |
| Maquillaje | Makeup |
| Máscara | Mask |
| Medianoche | Midnight |
| Misterioso | Mysterious |
| Misterio | Mystery |
| Momia | Mummy |
| Monstruo | Monster |
| Murciélago | Bat |
| Murmullo | Whisper |
| Niebla espesa | Thick fog |
| Noche de brujas | Halloween/ Night of witches |
| Noche de miedo | Halloween |
| Octubre | October |
| Ogro | Ogre |
| Oscuridad | Darkness |
| Otoño | Autumn |
| Poción | Potion |
| Sangre | Blood |
| Sombrero de bruna | Witch hat |
| Superhéroe/superheroina | Superhero |
| Susto | Fright |
| Telaraña | Spider web |
| Treinta y uno | Thirty first |
| Trol | Troll |
| Truco o trato | Trick or treat |
| Tumba | Tomb |
| Uñas afiladas | Sharp claws |
| Vampiro/a | Vampire |
| Vela | Candle |
| Zombi | Zombie |
Well did you learn new vocabulary? I hope you did. If you got this far, make sure to check out some fun activities below that are perfect for Spanish teachers or for families fostering Spanish at home.
25+ Best Spanish Halloween Songs on YouTube for Kids
Exploring Halloween Spanish Words & Engaging Activities
As you’ve journeyed through this collection of 70+ Halloween-themed Spanish words, it’s time to take your newfound vocabulary to the next level. Whether during your classroom halloween party or at home with family, elevate your Halloween experience with a range of enjoyable activities, allowing you to immerse yourself in these words while having a blast this October 31st.
- Halloween Color by Sight Word Printables in Spanish: Transform learning into a colorful adventure as you match sight words with their corresponding colors to form a mystery Halloween picture. Engage young learners’ creativity and language skills while having fun with hues!
- 30 Printable Halloween Bingo Cards in Spanish: Gather friends and family for a fun game of Halloween Bingo. This classic game offers a delightful way to reinforce your Halloween vocabulary as you aim for that winning combination.
- I Spy Halloween Worksheet in Spanish [Free Printables]: Sharpen observation skills with the exciting “I Spy” activity. Hunt for Halloween-related items using Spanish words, fostering a connection between vocabulary and real-world objects.
- Halloween Maze Worksheet Packet in Spanish: Navigate your way through spooky mazes while identifying Halloween words in Spanish. These engaging mazes combine entertainment and education seamlessly.
- Halloween Dot-to-Dot Printable Worksheets in Spanish: Connect the dots to unveil hidden Halloween-themed pictures while practicing your Spanish vocabulary. This activity adds an element of mystery and surprise to the learning process.
- Halloween Word Tracing Worksheets in Spanish (Free Printable): Enhance writing skills by tracing over Halloween words in Spanish. This hands-on approach reinforces spelling while making learning visually appealing.
- Halloween Scavenger Hunt in Spanish: Embark on a thrilling scavenger hunt, following clues and deciphering Spanish words to uncover hidden treasures. This adventure injects an interactive twist into vocabulary practice.
- 19 Not-So-Spooky Spanish Halloween Books for Kids: Immerse young readers in the enchanting world of Spanish Halloween literature. These books offer captivating stories that weave language and holiday themes seamlessly.
- Spanish Halloween Coloring Pages and Flashcards for Kids (Free Printables): Combine creativity and education with coloring pages and flashcards featuring Halloween vocabulary in Spanish. This interactive approach fosters memorable learning.
- Halloween Word Search Printable in Spanish – Spooky Fun for All Ages!
With these engaging activities, you can go beyond words and actively apply your Halloween-themed Spanish vocabulary. Whether you’re a parent looking to share the fun with your kids or an educator seeking dynamic classroom exercises, these options ensure that learning is a spook-tacular experience. So, gather your materials and embark on a journey of language, creativity, and Halloween magic!
Even More Halloween Activities To Enjoy
- 23+ Best Halloween Printables for Preschoolers
- 25 Halloween Arts and Crafts Activities for Kids
- 5 Easy Halloween Spider Crafts to Make With Preschoolers
- 80+ Day of the Dead Quotes in Spanish
- Day of the Dead Coloring Pages in Spanish (Free Printables)
