In Spanish, the four seasons of the year are as follows:
- el invierno — winter
- la primavera — spring
- el verano — summer
- el otoño — autumn or fall
The definite article (
el or
la) is usually used with the names of the seasons. In many cases, it is used where it isn't in English:
- La primavera es la época del año en que se manifiestan más evidentemente los procesos del nacimiento y el crecimiento. Spring is the time of the year in which the processes of birth and growth are most evident.
- El otoño me parece abrumadoramente triste. Autumn seems overwhelmingly sad to me.
- No me gustan los inviernos. I don't like winters.
- El verano se acerca. Summer is getting near.
- No tengo algo para hacer durante el invierno. I don't have anything to do during winter.
The definite article can be omitted (but doesn't have to be) after forms of the verb
ser and the prepositions
en and
de:
- En verano debemos cuidar el pelo con productos diseñados para esta estación. In summer we should take care of our hair with products designed for this season.
- Los colores de primavera son muy llamativos y bonitos. Spring colors are very bright and pretty.
- Ya era otoño en París. It was already autumn in Paris.
In some parts of the Spanish-speaking world, particularly in the tropics, two seasons are recognized:
- la estación lluviosa — rainy season or wet season
- la estación seca — dry season
