Spanish word of the day: Tertulia

What does tertulia mean?

Tertulia (feminine noun) – A social gathering, usually among friends or colleagues, where people come together to chat, debate, and share ideas—often over coffee, drinks, or a meal. Traditionally, tertulias are about lively, thoughtful conversation, whether the topic is literature, politics, art, or just the events of the day.

Example sentences with tertulia

• Cada viernes tenemos una tertulia literaria en la cafetería del barrio.
  📚☕ Every Friday we have a literary discussion group at the neighborhood café.

• Me encanta una buena tertulia con amigos después del trabajo.
  🍷🗣️ I love a good chat with friends after work.

• En la tertulia se habló de todo: cine, viajes y hasta recetas.
  🎬✈️🍲 At the gathering, we talked about everything: movies, travel, even recipes.

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Tertulia in context

You’ll hear tertulia in Spanish-speaking countries whenever people value conversation for its own sake. It’s not just small talk—it’s about exchanging ideas, stories, and opinions in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Historically, tertulias were important in cafés and salons, where writers, artists, and thinkers would meet to inspire each other and debate the big issues of their time.

Today, the tradition continues in homes, cafés, and even online. If you want to sound natural in Spanish, use tertulia to describe any gathering where conversation and connection are the main events. It’s a word that celebrates the joy of talking—and listening—with others.