Spanish word

belén

Pronunciation

IPA/beˈlen/

Meaning

  • masculine nounnativity scene

Example

¿Dónde vas a poner el belén este año?

Where are you going to put the nativity scene this year?

Illustration for belén (nativity scene)

More examples

En casa siempre montamos el belén el 24 de diciembre.

At home we always set up the nativity scene on December 24.

Core concept

Assembled scene of the manger and surrounding figures used as a Christmas decoration in homes, churches or public spaces.

Common phrases

  • montar el belén

    set up the nativity scene

  • colocar el belén

    place the nativity scene

Similar words

pesebre: Small-scale manger display emphasizing the animal feeding trough and rustic stable details.
nacimiento: Set of figures arranged to depict the newborn Jesus and the surrounding birth scene.
portal de Belén: Arrangement specifically imitating Bethlehem's stable entrance as the backdrop for the nativity.

Definition in Spanish

Conjunto de figuras decorativas que representan el portal y el nacimiento de Jesús en Belén y que se coloca como adorno navideño en casas, iglesias o espacios públicos.

Word origin

Named for the town Belén (Spanish for Bethlehem), from Hebrew Beit Lehem 'house of bread', with the toponym coming to denote the representation of the Nativity.

Usage tips

  • Also commonly called el pesebre or el portal in many regions, so expect regional variation and use poner or montar rather than 'hacer' when talking about setting one up.

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