Vocabulary: services, festivals and communities

The bank, the post office and lost property, then festivals, customs and life in a community.

Practise this lesson free (7 questions)

Services

He perdido mi cartera. = I have lost my wallet. Me han robado el móvil. = My phone has been stolen.
SpanishEnglish
el bancobank
la casa de cambiobureau de change
Correosthe post office
el sellostamp
el buzónpostbox
el paqueteparcel
enviarto send
la oficina de objetos perdidoslost property office
el ladrón, la ladronathief
el robotheft
el formularioform
rellenarto fill in
el peluquero, la peluquerahairdresser
arreglarto repair, to fix
el bombero, la bomberafirefighter
la quejacomplaint

Festivals and celebrations

Nochevieja is 31 December; Nochebuena is 24 December. El Día de Reyes is 6 January.
SpanishEnglish
la fiestafestival, party
celebrarto celebrate
la NavidadChristmas
la NochebuenaChristmas Eve
la NocheviejaNew Year's Eve
el Año NuevoNew Year
la Semana SantaHoly Week (Easter)
el regalopresent
la velacandle
los fuegos artificialesfireworks
la tarjeta de felicitacióngreetings card
el día festivopublic holiday
el desfileparade
disfrazarseto dress up (in costume)

Communities and customs

Religion words on the GCSE list are general; the International GCSE list also has church, mosque, synagogue and temple.
SpanishEnglish
la comunidadcommunity
la tradicióntradition
la costumbrecustom
la iglesiachurch
la mezquitamosque
la sinagogasynagogue
el templotemple
la asociación de vecinosresidents' association
la meriendaafternoon snack
la siestanap after lunch
las tapastapas, small snacks
el voluntario, la voluntariavolunteer
la feriafair
Worked example

Translate: On New Year's Eve we eat twelve grapes and watch the fireworks.

  1. On New Year's Eve = en Nochevieja
  2. we eat twelve grapes = comemos doce uvas
  3. watch the fireworks = vemos los fuegos artificiales

Answer: En Nochevieja comemos doce uvas y vemos los fuegos artificiales.

Key idea

El banco, Correos, el sello, el buzón, el paquete, enviar, la oficina de objetos perdidos, el ladrón, el robo, rellenar un formulario. La fiesta, la Navidad, la Nochebuena, la Nochevieja, la Semana Santa, los fuegos artificiales, el día festivo, disfrazarse. La comunidad, la costumbre, la iglesia, la merienda, el voluntario.

Quick check

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Extra practice

2 more questions

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  1. What does el formulario mean?

    1. postbox
    2. lost property office
    3. to repair
    4. form
    Show the answer

    Answer: form

    El formulario = form.

  2. Which is the Spanish for "hairdresser"?

    1. el peluquero, la peluquera
    2. el robo
    3. la queja
    4. Correos
    Show the answer

    Answer: el peluquero, la peluquera

    Hairdresser = el peluquero.

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Sources and references

Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.

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