Spanish for Superstitions: Expressing Beliefs Like 'Eating Noodles on New Year Brings Luck'
Learn to talk about superstitions in Spanish using creer que, dar suerte, and other key phrases. Ideal for intermediate learners.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you'll learn how to discuss superstitions in Spanish, such as 'Eating noodles on New Year brings luck.' We'll focus on the verbs creer (to believe), dar suerte (to bring luck), and traer buena suerte (to bring good luck), along with the subjunctive mood when expressing beliefs about unlikely or hypothetical situations. You'll also learn to distinguish between customs and superstitions, and to use appropriate vocabulary for both. By the end, you'll be able to share and ask about superstitious beliefs in Spanish.
By the end, you can…
- express superstitious beliefs using 'creer que' and 'dar suerte'.
- ask others about their superstitions and respond appropriately.
- distinguish between customs and superstitions in Spanish.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
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Comer fideos en Año Nuevo trae buena suerte.
Eating noodles on New Year brings good luck.
koh-MEHR FYEH-dohs ehn AH-nyoh NWEH-voh TRAH-eh BWEH-nah SWEHR-teh
Use 'traer buena suerte' for 'to bring good luck'. This phrase is common in many Latin American countries, though the specific food may vary.
¿Crees que comer fideos en Año Nuevo da suerte?
Do you believe that eating noodles on New Year brings luck?
KREH-ehs keh koh-MEHR FYEH-dohs ehn AH-nyoh NWEH-voh dah SWEHR-teh
Use 'dar suerte' for 'to bring luck'. The verb 'creer' is followed by 'que' and an indicative verb if the belief is held, or subjunctive if uncertain.
No creo que comer fideos dé suerte, pero es una tradición.
I don't believe that eating noodles brings luck, but it's a tradition.
noh KREH-oh keh koh-MEHR FYEH-dohs DEH SWEHR-teh PEH-roh ehs OO-nah trah-dee-SYOHN
After 'no creo que', use the subjunctive 'dé'. This expresses doubt or disbelief.
En mi país, es costumbre comer lentejas en Año Nuevo para la prosperidad.
In my country, it's a custom to eat lentils on New Year for prosperity.
ehn mee pah-EES ehs kohs-TOOM-breh koh-MEHR lehn-TEH-hahs ehn AH-nyoh NWEH-voh PAH-rah lah prohs-peh-ree-DAHD
Use 'es costumbre' to describe a custom. This is different from a superstition, as it's a habitual practice.
Mucha gente cree que romper un espejo trae siete años de mala suerte.
Many people believe that breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck.
MOO-chah HEHN-teh KREH-eh keh rohm-PEHR oon ehs-PEH-hoh TRAH-eh SYEH-teh AH-nyohs deh MAH-lah SWEHR-teh
This is a common superstition in many Spanish-speaking countries. Use 'mala suerte' for 'bad luck'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To express a superstition, use 'creer que' + indicative for beliefs you hold, or subjunctive for doubts. For example: 'Creo que comer fideos trae suerte' (I believe that eating noodles brings luck) vs. 'No creo que comer fideos traiga suerte' (I don't believe that eating noodles brings luck). Also, use 'dar suerte' or 'traer suerte' to say something brings luck: 'Eso da suerte' (That brings luck). Note that 'creer que' takes the indicative in affirmative statements, but the negative 'no creer que' takes the subjunctive.
When to use it
Use these phrases when discussing superstitions, traditions, or personal beliefs. For example, when someone sneezes, you might say 'Salud' (Bless you), but if you want to talk about the superstition that saying 'Salud' protects you, you could say: 'Se cree que decir "Salud" después de un estornudo protege el alma' (It's believed that saying 'Salud' after a sneeze protects the soul). Note that 'se cree que' is an impersonal way to express general beliefs and is followed by the indicative.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
¿Sabes que en algunos países comer fideos en Año Nuevo trae buena suerte?
Did you know that in some countries eating noodles on New Year brings good luck?sah-BEHS keh ehn ahl-GOO-nohs pah-EES-es koh-MEHR FYEH-dohs ehn AH-nyoh NWEH-voh TRAH-eh BWEH-nah SWEHR-tehSí, lo he oído. Pero en mi familia, comemos lentejas para atraer la prosperidad.
Yes, I've heard that. But in my family, we eat lentils to attract prosperity.see loh eh OH-ee-doh PEH-roh ehn mee fah-MEE-lee-ah koh-MEH-mohs lehn-TEH-hahs PAH-rah ah-trah-EHR lah prohs-peh-ree-DAHD¡Qué interesante! ¿Y crees que realmente funciona?
How interesting! And do you believe it really works?keh een-teh-reh-SAHN-teh ee KREH-ehs keh reh-ahl-MEHN-teh foon-SYOH-nahNo sé si funciona, pero no creo que sea solo una superstición. Es una tradición que nos une.
I don't know if it works, but I don't think it's just a superstition. It's a tradition that unites us.noh seh see foon-SYOH-nah PEH-roh noh KREH-oh keh SEH-ah SOH-loh OO-nah soo-pehr-stees-YOHN ehs OO-nah trah-dee-SYOHN keh nohs OO-nehA little context goes a long way
In many Spanish-speaking countries, superstitions are often intertwined with religious or cultural traditions. While some people may take them seriously, others view them as fun or cultural heritage. It's important to respect these beliefs, as they can be deeply personal. For example, in some regions, it's common to wear yellow underwear on New Year's Eve for good luck, while in others, eating twelve grapes at midnight is the norm. These practices vary widely, so it's best to ask about local customs rather than assume.
One thing to watch for
Using the indicative after 'no creo que' when expressing doubt, e.g., 'No creo que comer fideos trae suerte.'
Try this instead: After 'no creo que', use the subjunctive: 'No creo que comer fideos traiga suerte.' The subjunctive is required because the main clause expresses doubt or disbelief. Similarly, 'Es posible que' also triggers the subjunctive: 'Es posible que traiga suerte.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'I believe that breaking a mirror brings bad luck' in Spanish?
Show a sample answer
Creo que romper un espejo trae mala suerte.
This uses 'creo que' + indicative 'trae' because it's a belief you hold. You could also say 'Creo que romper un espejo da mala suerte.' Both are correct.
2Translate: 'Do you think that eating lentils brings prosperity?'
Show a sample answer
¿Crees que comer lentejas trae prosperidad?
This uses 'crees que' + indicative 'trae' because it's a question about belief. If you wanted to express doubt, you could say '¿Crees que comer lentejas traiga prosperidad?' but the indicative is more common in questions.
3What is the difference between a custom and a superstition? Give an example in Spanish.
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Una costumbre es una práctica habitual, como comer lentejas en Año Nuevo. Una superstición es una creencia irracional, como que romper un espejo trae mala suerte.
This answer distinguishes between 'costumbre' (custom) and 'superstición' (superstition). The examples show the difference: eating lentils is a customary practice, while breaking a mirror is a superstition.
Use 'creer que' with indicative for beliefs you hold, and with subjunctive for doubts. Remember 'dar suerte' and 'traer suerte' to talk about luck. Always respect cultural differences when discussing superstitions.
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