How Do You Say Spooky in Spanish? Halloween might be all about costumes, pumpkins, and spooky fun, but in the Spanish-speaking world, the end of October also brings the colourful and deeply meaningful Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead). Both celebrations offer the perfect excuse to sprinkle in some new Spanish vocabulary – because let’s face it, learning a language is much more fun when it connects to real life, whether that’s cooking tapas in Málaga or handing out sweets to mini vampires on your doorstep.
Halloween in Spanish: Trick-or-Treat Talk
Halloween has crept its way into Spanish-speaking countries, especially among children and teenagers, so you’ll hear some familiar traditions – just with a twist of Spanish flair. If you find yourself abroad during spooky season, these phrases will come in handy:
| ¡Feliz Halloween! | Happy Halloween! (Simple, cheerful, and gets the job done.) |
| ¿Truco o trato? | Trick or treat? (Literally “trick or deal.”) |
| Disfraz | Costume |
| Calabaza | Pumpkin |
| Dulces | Sweets or candy. |
In Spain, kids knock on doors shouting “truco o trato” with the same enthusiasm you’d expect anywhere else. Meanwhile, adults might be more focused on themed parties or horror movie marathons. If you’re going to a Halloween gathering in a Spanish-speaking country, you could say:
Voy a una fiesta de disfraces. – I’m going to a fancy-dress party.
Me da miedo. – It scares me. (Useful when someone jumps out at you wearing a terrifying mask.)
What Makes Día de Muertos Different?
While Halloween leans towards fear and fright, Día de Muertos in Mexico and other parts of Latin America is a beautiful celebration of life, remembrance, and family. Instead of haunted houses, you’ll see vibrant altars (ofrendas) filled with marigolds, candles, photos, and food to honour loved ones who have passed away. It’s colourful, heartfelt, and very much about joy rather than fear.
Some useful phrases:
Día de Muertos – Day of the Dead.
Ofrenda – Altar.
Calaveras de azúcar – Sugar skulls.
Pan de muerto – “Bread of the dead,” a special sweet bread baked for the occasion.
Cempasúchil – Marigolds, the flowers that guide spirits back to the world of the living.
If you’re ever lucky enough to witness the parades or visit cemeteries during Día de Muertos, you’ll notice the atmosphere is festive rather than sombre. You might even hear the phrase:
Recordamos con alegría. – We remember with joy.
It’s a beautiful reminder that language is never just words—it’s culture, tradition, and emotion wrapped up together.
So whether you’re carving pumpkins in Wales, baking pan de muerto in Mexico, or even learning Spanish phrases over a plate of paella in Málaga, this season gives you a chance to add some colour to your vocabulary. Try dropping these spooky phrases into conversation – you’ll not only impress Spanish speakers, but you’ll also discover how celebrations can reveal the heart of a culture.
