The Four Seasons

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