4 Seasons In Spanish: A Vocab Guide For Beginners

Ever tried to complain about the weather in Spanish and ended up pointing at the sky? Seasons are everywhere in conversation, yet most Spanish courses treat them like an afterthought.

So to help you out, this article will walk you through seasons in Spanish. We'll cover the four main seasons, when to use those tricky articles, and seasonal vocabulary that actually comes up in real conversations. By the end, you'll know why "la primavera" gets special treatment and how to avoid sounding like a textbook when talking about the weather.

What Are The 4 Seasons In Spanish?

The word for "season" in Spanish is "estación" (singular) and "estaciones" (plural), as in "las estaciones del año" (the seasons of the year). The four main seasons in Spanish are invierno (winter), primavera (spring), verano (summer), and otoño (fall/autumn).

The timing of these seasons depends on which hemisphere you're in. In the Northern Hemisphere (Spain, Mexico, United States), winter runs from December to February, spring from March to May, summer from June to August, and autumn from September to November.

However, if you're in the Southern Hemisphere (Argentina, Chile, Uruguay), the winter is from June to August, spring from September to November, summer from December to February, and autumn from March to May.

How To Talk About The Seasons In Spanish

When talking about seasons in Spanish, there are a few key grammatical rules that'll help you sound more natural. Unlike English, Spanish seasons have gender—three are masculine (el verano, el otoño, el invierno) while primavera is feminine (la primavera). Most importantly, seasons are NOT capitalized in Spanish unless they begin a sentence.

Using Definite Articles

In Spanish, seasons are treated as specific, concrete concepts rather than abstract ideas. This is why Spanish almost always uses definite articles (el/la) with seasons—it's like saying "THE winter" because you're referring to a particular season as a defined period of time.

• "El invierno es muy frío" (THE winter is very cold)
• "La primavera es mi favorita" (THE spring is my favorite)
• "Los veranos aquí son calurosos" (THE summers here are hot)
• "Durante el verano viajamos mucho" (During THE summer we travel a lot)

To remember this grammar point in Spanish, just note that "Spring is the lady of the seasons." Why? La primavera is the only feminine one. All the others (verano, otoño, invierno) end in -o, which usually signals masculine nouns.

When to Skip the Articles

You can drop the definite article when the season is used more abstractly or when certain grammatical structures make the article unnecessary:

After the verb "ser" (describing the current state)

When saying "it is spring," you're stating a general condition rather than referring to spring as a specific entity:

• "Es primavera" (It's spring - describing the current season)
• "Ya era otoño" (It was already autumn - describing what season it was)

After prepositions "en" and "de" (describing when or what type)

Here, seasons function more like adjectives or time markers rather than specific nouns:

• "En verano vamos a la playa" (In summer we go - describing WHEN)
• "Ropa de invierno" (Winter clothes - describing WHAT TYPE)
• "Durante primavera llueve mucho" (During spring it rains - describing WHEN)

With demonstrative adjectives (this/that already specify)

Since "this" or "that" already makes the season specific, you don't need the article:

• "Este invierno será frío" (This winter will be cold)
• "Aquel verano fue inolvidable" (That summer was unforgettable)

Making Seasons into Adjectives

When you want to describe something as having the characteristics of a season, you need to turn the season into an adjective. The Spanish grammar offers two ways to do this: using de and adverbial forms.

Using "de + season" (more common and versatile)

This creates a descriptive phrase meaning "of [season]" or "[season]-related":

• Una mañana de primavera (A morning OF spring = a spring morning)
• Actividades de verano (Activities OF summer = summer activities)
• Ropa de invierno (Clothes OF winter = winter clothes)

Using specific adjectival forms (more literary/formal)

These are actual adjectives that mean "[season]-like" or "relating to [season]":

• primaveral (springlike) - "Brisa primaveral" (spring-like breeze)
• veraniego (summery) - "Calor veraniego" (summery heat)
• otoñal (autumnal) - "Paisaje otoñal" (autumnal landscape)
• invernal (wintry) - "Frío invernal" (wintry cold)

Spanish Words Related To Seasons

Spanish Words Related To Spring

Spring or "primavera" comes from the Latin words "prima" (first) and "ver" (from "vedere," meaning "to see"), literally meaning "first sight" or "first seeing." This refers to spring as the time when you first see new life emerging—flowers blooming, leaves budding, and nature awakening after winter's dormancy.

There are numerous Spanish words specifically associated with this season of renewal and growth.

Spanish Words Related To Summer

"Verano" derives from the Latin "veranum," which originally could refer to either spring or summer but eventually settled on the warmer season. In many Spanish-speaking countries, summer is synonymous with vacation time, beach activities, and outdoor festivals.

This season also brings a rich vocabulary related to heat, leisure, and outdoor life.

Spanish Words Related To Autumn

"Otoño" comes from the Latin "autumnus," sharing the same root as the English word "autumn." This season represents transition and change, characterized by falling leaves, harvest time, and preparation for winter. In many Spanish-speaking countries, autumn is harvest season and a time of abundance before the colder months.

Spanish Words Related To Winter

"Invierno" originates from the Latin "hibernum," which is also the root for the English word "hibernate." This etymology reflects winter as a time of rest and dormancy in nature. If you want to talk about this season in Spanish, be sure to use the following words.

Common Spanish Phrases Related To Seasons

Here are practical phrases you'll use when talking about weather and seasons in Spanish. These expressions will help you sound more natural in conversations:

General seasonal phrases

• "¿Cuál es tu estación favorita?" (What's your favorite season?)
• "Las estaciones del año" (The seasons of the year)
• "Cada estación tiene su encanto" (Each season has its charm)
• "El clima cambia según la estación" (The climate changes according to the season)

Weather-related expressions

• "Hace buen/mal tiempo" (The weather is good/bad)
• "¿Cómo está el tiempo?" (How's the weather?)
• "Según el pronóstico del tiempo" (According to the weather forecast)
• "El tiempo está cambiando" (The weather is changing)

Seasonal activities

• "En esta estación me gusta..." (In this season I like to...)
• "La temporada turística" (Tourist season)
• "Actividades de temporada" (Seasonal activities)
• "Cambio de estación" (Change of season)

Ready To Learn Spanish?

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FAQ

Do the names of seasons in Spanish need to be capitalized?

No, the names of seasons in Spanish (primavera, verano, otoño, invierno) are not capitalized unless they appear at the beginning of a sentence or are part of a proper noun. This differs from English, where seasonal names are often capitalized in formal writing. For example, write "Me gusta la primavera" (I like spring) not "Me gusta la Primavera."

Do you need an article when using seasons in sentences?

Generally yes, Spanish seasons typically use definite articles (el/la), such as "El invierno es frío" (Winter is cold). However, you can omit the article after the verb "ser" (Es primavera - It's spring), after prepositions "en" and "de" (En verano - In summer, Ropa de invierno - Winter clothes), and when using demonstrative adjectives (Este verano - This summer).

Can seasons in Spanish be used as adjectives?

Yes, seasons can function as adjectives in two ways. You can use "de + season" (flores de primavera - spring flowers, actividades de verano - summer activities), or use specific adjectival forms like primaveral (springlike), veraniego (summery), otoñal (autumnal), and invernal (wintry). The "de + season" construction is more common in everyday speech.

What preposition is used with seasons in Spanish when talking about something happening during that time?

The preposition "en" is used to indicate when something happens during a season. For example, "En primavera llueve mucho" (In spring it rains a lot) or "En verano vamos a la playa" (In summer we go to the beach). Note that when using "en" with seasons, you don't need the definite article.

Are there any idiomatic expressions in Spanish that involve the seasons?

Yes, there are several seasonal idioms in Spanish. "Hacer el agosto" literally means "to make the August" but figuratively means to seize a good opportunity or make a profit. "Hasta el 40 de mayo, no te quites el sayo" translates to "Don't take off your coat until May 40th" (June 10th), warning that cold weather can last into late spring.