The English word ‘season’ has a variety of Spanish equivalents to fit each of its uses. Let’s take a look at the three main equivalents of ‘season’ en español!
1. SEASON as ESTACIÓN:
When we’re talking about the four seasons of the year: fall (otoño), winter (invierno), spring (primavera), and summer (verano), the correct Spanish equivalent is ‘estación’:
- La primavera es mi estación favorita: el clima es más cálido, hay flores por todas partes y los días son más largos. Spring is my favorite season: the weather is warmer, there are flowers everywhere, and the days are longer.
- A causa del cambio climático, el clima de las cuatro estaciones ya no es como antes. Due to climate change, the weather of the four seasons is not as it was.
2. SEASON as TEMPORADA:
When we use ‘season’ to describe or refer to a specific period of time (weeks, months, years…) in which something happens or is available, we use the Spanish equivalent ‘temporada’. Common collocations are temporada de televisión (tv season); temporada de fútbol, baloncesto, béisbol (baseball, basketball, football season); temporada de lluvia (rain season); temporada alta/baja (high/low season); fruta de temporada (seasonal fruit), etc:
- Me encanta esta serie; la temporada 2 en particular es mi favorita. I love this show; season 2 in particular is my favorite.
- No es temporada de fresas, ¿por que no compras mejor manzanas? It’s not strawberry season; why don’t you get some apples instead?
- El sábado es el primer partido de la nueva temporada de fútbol. The first match of the new football season will be played on Saturday.
Note: although ‘estación’ and ‘temporada’ have their own uses, they can also act as synonyms in certain cases, particularly when talking about a non-specific period of time:
Ya está la línea de ropa para la próxima estación invernal. The new clothing line for the upcoming winter season is ready.
Ya está la línea de ropa para la próxima temporada invernal. The new clothing line for the upcoming winter season is ready.
3. SEASON as CONDIMENTAR:
The term ‘season’ can also function as a verb to describe the process of changing or improving the flavor of a meal by adding ingredients like salt, pepper or herbs to it. In this case, the correct equivalent in Spanish is the verb ‘condimentar’, or its synonyms ‘sazonar’, ‘aliñar’ and ‘aderezar’:
- Mi madre condimenta las comidas con muchas hierbas frescas. My mother seasons our meals with lots of fresh herbs.
- Él siempre aliña las ensaladas con aceite de oliva y vinagre. He always seasons salads with olive oil and vinegar.