We typically only associate the Spanish word ‘pascua’ with Easter, but in fact it has more than one equivalent. Let’s take a look!

1) When we’re refering to the Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Christ, ‘Easter’ is the correct equivalent for ‘pascua’:

• Para el fin de semana de Pascua vamos a la casa de la abuela. For the Easter weekend we’re going to Grandma’s house.

2) When we talk about the Jewish holiday that commemorates the Hebrews’ liberation from slavery in Egypt, the equivalent for ‘pascua’ or ‘pascua judía’ is Passover:

• Mi familia está preparando una gran cena para pascua. My family is preparing a big dinner for Passover.

3) When we use the Spanish term ‘pascuas’ in the plural, we are discussing the Christmas season:

• Me encantan las pascuas: el árbol, las decoraciones, la comida, las fiestas; es mi época favorita. I love Christmas: the tree, the decorations, the food, the parties; it’s my favorite season.