Mardi Gras

Mardi gras in Spanish
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Extravagant Spanish Vocabulary

Mardi Gras is an annual celebration of extravagance and (over)indulgence before Lent. The official slogan is "Let the good times roll," which is translated literally into French as Laissez les bons temps rouler (and is used only in Louisiana).

Because Mardi Gras, literally "Fat Tuesday," is tied to Easter, the date changes every year: it occurs 46 days before Easter, so somewhere between 3 February and 9 March. In 2022, Mardi gras is 1st March, in 2023, it will be 21 February.*

The period leading up to Mardi Gras is called Carnaval, and the several-week festival is celebrated in many cities and countries all over the world.

Shrove Tuesday el Martes de Carnaval
Ash Wednesday el Miércoles de Ceniza
Lent la Cuaresma
Easter la Pascua
Passover la Pascua judía

Mardi Gras colors ~ Los colores del Martes de Carnaval

The three official colors of Mardi Gras have official meanings:

goldpower oroel poder
greenfaith verdela fe
purplejustice púrpurala justicia

Mardi Gras vocabulary ~ El vocabulario del Martes de Carnaval

bead una cuenta
bonfire una hoguera
captain el capitán
costume un disfraz
costume ball un baile de disfraces
crowd una multitud
crown una corona
dancing el baile
disguise un disfraz
doubloon un doblón
effigy una efigie
feather una pluma
float un flotador
jewel una joya
king el rey
krewe (organizer) un krewe
Mardi gras run una carrera de carnaval
mask una máscara
music la música
necklace un collar
parade un desfile
queen la reina
sequin una lentejuela
torch una antorcha
trinket una baratija

French listening comprehension Spanish listening practice

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* Pancake recipes

In Commonwealth countries, this same day is known as Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day.

Spanish vocabulary for other holidays

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Spanish mardi gras vocabulary