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"Happening" is a form of "happening", a noun which is often translated as "el suceso". "Phenomenon" is a noun which is often translated as "el fenómeno". Learn more about the difference between "phenomenon" and "happening" below.
phenomenon(
fih
-
na
-
mih
-
nan
)
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
noun
a. el fenómeno
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
The aurora borealis is a beautiful natural phenomenon.La aurora boreal es un hermoso fenómeno natural.
2.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(exceptional person or thing)
a. el fenómeno
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
The violinist we saw yesterday is a real phenomenon.La violinista que vimos ayer es todo un fenómeno.
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happening(
hah
-
pihn
-
ihng
)
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
noun
a. el suceso
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
Last week's accident was an unfortunate happening that the whole city is mourning.El accidente de la semana pasada fue un suceso desafortunado que toda la ciudad lamenta.
b. el acontecimiento
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
We sat down with a glass of wine so that I could explain the happenings of the previous week.Nos sentamos con una copa de vino para poder explicarles los acontecimientos de la semana anterior.
a. el happening
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
A group of artists and musicians are putting together a happening in the park on Sunday afternoon.Un grupo de artistas y músicos van a montar un happening en el parque el domingo por la tarde.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
Sant Antoni is a really happening part of town with its restaurants and bars.San Antonio es una zona de moda con sus restaurantes y bares.
What did you think of that band last night? - A lot of people liked it, but I didn't think it was so happening.¿Qué te pareció la banda anoche? - A muchos les gustó, a mí no me moló demasiado.
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