Happy Valentine's Day
Use this in countries where the day celebrates both romantic love and friendship. It means 'Happy Day of Love and Friendship'.
A common alternative in some South American countries, meaning 'Happy Day of the Lovers'.
A simple, direct way to express affection on this day. It means 'I care for you a lot' or 'I love you'.
Happy Valentine's Day! I brought you some chocolates.
For my best friend: happy Day of Love and Friendship!
What plans do you all have for the Day of the Lovers?
My boyfriend is going to take me to dinner for Valentine's Day.
While 'Feliz Día de San Valentín' is understood everywhere, many countries have adopted 'Día del Amor y la Amistad' to be more inclusive of friendship.
It is very common to hear 'Feliz Día del Amor y la Amistad'. The day is a celebration for both romantic partners and close friends.
The holiday is called 'Día del Amor y la Amistad' and is uniquely celebrated on the third Saturday of September, not in February.
People often call it 'Día de los Enamorados' (Day of the Lovers), focusing more on the romantic aspect of the holiday.
The standard phrase is 'Día de San Valentín'. The concept of 'Día del Amor y la Amistad' is not commonly used for this date.
Mistake: Saying 'Feliz Valentín'. Why it's wrong: This is incomplete, like saying 'Happy Valentine'. The holiday is the 'Day of' Saint Valentine, so you need the full phrase: 'Feliz Día de San Valentín'.
Mistake: Using 'contento' instead of 'feliz'. Why it's wrong: 'Contento' means 'content' or 'glad' and is a temporary feeling. For holiday wishes like 'Happy Birthday' or 'Happy New Year', the correct word is always 'Feliz'.
Mistake: Forgetting the cultural context. Why it's wrong: In many Latin American countries, Valentine's Day is not just for couples. It's a day to celebrate friendship too, so wishing 'Feliz Día del Amor y la Amistad' to a friend is very normal and expected.