Expresiones de Navidad: dar la campanada, tocar el gordo

What do dar la campanada, armarse el belén and tocar el gordo have in common? In this video Pilar explains the meaning and origin of five very popular Spanish expressions related to Christmas.

Key points

Armarse el belén: a situation of confusion or chaos, like the crowded Bethlehem that Mary and Joseph found: Después de la fiesta se armó el belén.
Tocar el gordo: to be very lucky, like winning el Gordo, the first prize of the Christmas lottery drawn every 22 December.
Dar la campanada: to cause a surprise with unexpected news, like the twelve chimes of the Puerta del Sol clock on New Year's Eve.
Dar las uvas: to take a very long time: Te van a dar las uvas haciendo ese ejercicio.
Estar a por uvas: to be absent-minded, like the grape pickers who spent long periods away from home: Juan nunca se entera de nada, siempre está a por uvas.

Frequent doubts

Where does the tradition of the belén come from?

King Charles III brought the custom of setting up nativity scenes from Naples in the 18th century. Today homes, institutions and museums display their own belenes.

When is the Christmas lottery drawn?

Every 22 December. Its first prize is called el Gordo, which gives us the expression tocar el gordo.

How many grapes do Spaniards eat on New Year's Eve?

Twelve, one with each chime of the clock at midnight, usually following the Puerta del Sol clock on television.

Part of Spanish Sessions, the YouTube channel of the teachers at Tilde Madrid — more than 3 million views.

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Expresiones relacionadas con la Navidad (nivel avanzado)

Key points

Frequent doubts

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