๐บ๐ธ July 4th
In this lesson you will learn useful everyday English vocabulary and expressions for talking about Independence Day, the Fourth of July, fireworks, parades, barbecues, and family celebrations. Each English word or phrase includes a simple meaning plus translations in several languages.
๐ข Basic Independence Day Vocabulary
a U.S. holiday celebrating national independence
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Dรญa de la Independencia๐ซ๐ท French: Fรชte de l'Indรฉpendance
๐ฉ๐ช German: Unabhรคngigkeitstag
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Giorno dell'Indipendenza
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Dia da Independรชncia
another name for Independence Day
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Cuatro de Julio๐ซ๐ท French: Quatre juillet
๐ฉ๐ช German: Vierter Juli
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Quattro luglio
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Quatro de Julho
the official flag of the United States
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Bandera estadounidense๐ซ๐ท French: Drapeau amรฉricain
๐ฉ๐ช German: Amerikanische Flagge
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Bandiera americana
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Bandeira americana
bright explosions of light in the sky
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Fuegos artificiales๐ซ๐ท French: Feux d'artifice
๐ฉ๐ช German: Feuerwerk
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Fuochi d'artificio
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Fogos de artifรญcio
a public procession with music and floats
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Desfile๐ซ๐ท French: Dรฉfilรฉ
๐ฉ๐ช German: Parade
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Parata
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Desfile
a special event to mark an important day
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Celebraciรณn๐ซ๐ท French: Cรฉlรฉbration
๐ฉ๐ช German: Feier
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Celebrazione
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Celebraรงรฃo
๐ก Fourth of July Traditions
an outdoor meal cooked on a grill
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Barbacoa๐ซ๐ท French: Barbecue
๐ฉ๐ช German: Grillfest
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Barbecue / Grigliata
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Churrasco
a meal eaten outdoors
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Pรญcnic๐ซ๐ท French: Pique-nique
๐ฉ๐ช German: Picknick
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Picnic
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Piquenique
a live music performance
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๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Concierto๐ซ๐ท French: Concert
๐ฉ๐ช German: Konzert
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Concerto
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Concerto
the official song of a country
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๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Himno nacional๐ซ๐ท French: Hymne national
๐ฉ๐ช German: Nationalhymne
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Inno nazionale
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Hino nacional
showing love for your country
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Patriรณtico๐ซ๐ท French: Patriotique
๐ฉ๐ช German: Patriotisch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Patriottico
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Patriรณtico
a time when relatives get together
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Reuniรณn familiar๐ซ๐ท French: Rรฉunion de famille
๐ฉ๐ช German: Familientreffen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Riunione di famiglia
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Reuniรฃo de famรญlia
๐ Traditional Food & Celebration
a cooked meat patty in a bun
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Hamburguesa๐ซ๐ท French: Hamburger
๐ฉ๐ช German: Hamburger
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Hamburger
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Hambรบrguer
a sausage served in a long bun
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๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Perrito caliente๐ซ๐ท French: Hot-dog
๐ฉ๐ช German: Hotdog
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Hot dog
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Cachorro-quente
cooked corn still on the ear
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Mazorca de maรญz๐ซ๐ท French: Maรฏs en รฉpi
๐ฉ๐ช German: Maiskolben
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pannocchia di mais
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Espiga de milho
a sweet dessert made with apples
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Pastel de manzana๐ซ๐ท French: Tarte aux pommes
๐ฉ๐ช German: Apfelkuchen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Torta di mele
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Torta de maรงรฃ
a sweet drink made from lemons
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Limonada๐ซ๐ท French: Limonade
๐ฉ๐ช German: Limonade
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Limonata
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Limonada
a large sweet fruit with red flesh
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Sandรญa๐ซ๐ท French: Pastรจque
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wassermelone
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Anguria
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Melancia
๐ง Useful Grammar
use this verb for holidays and special days
Use celebrate when talking about holidays, birthdays, and special occasions.
We celebrate Independence Day every July.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Celebramos el Dรญa de la Independencia cada julio.๐ซ๐ท French: Nous cรฉlรฉbrons la fรชte de l'Indรฉpendance chaque mois de juillet.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wir feiern jedes Jahr im Juli den Unabhรคngigkeitstag.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Celebriamo il Giorno dell'Indipendenza ogni luglio.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Celebramos o Dia da Independรชncia todo mรชs de julho.
use this verb for fireworks, parades, and shows
Use watch for fireworks, parades, concerts, and sporting events.
We're going to watch the fireworks tonight.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Vamos a ver los fuegos artificiales esta noche.๐ซ๐ท French: Nous allons regarder les feux d'artifice ce soir.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wir werden heute Abend das Feuerwerk anschauen.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Stasera guarderemo i fuochi d'artificio.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Vamos assistir aos fogos de artifรญcio esta noite.
use this verb for clothes and colors
People often wear red, white, and blue on the Fourth of July.
Many people wear red, white, and blue.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Muchas personas visten de rojo, blanco y azul.๐ซ๐ท French: Beaucoup de gens portent du rouge, du blanc et du bleu.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Viele Menschen tragen Rot, Weiร und Blau.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Molte persone indossano il rosso, il bianco e il blu.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Muitas pessoas usam vermelho, branco e azul.
๐ฌ Common Fourth of July Phrases
a greeting used on July 4
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: ยกFeliz Dรญa de la Independencia!๐ซ๐ท French: Bonne fรชte de l'Indรฉpendance !
๐ฉ๐ช German: Schรถnen Unabhรคngigkeitstag!
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Buon Giorno dell'Indipendenza!
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feliz Dia da Independรชncia!
an invitation to see the fireworks together
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Vamos a ver los fuegos artificiales.๐ซ๐ท French: Allons voir les feux d'artifice.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Lass uns das Feuerwerk anschauen.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Andiamo a vedere i fuochi d'artificio.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Vamos assistir aos fogos de artifรญcio.
we plan to cook outdoors today
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Hoy vamos a hacer una barbacoa.๐ซ๐ท French: Nous faisons un barbecue aujourd'hui.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Heute machen wir ein Grillfest.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Oggi facciamo un barbecue.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Hoje vamos fazer um churrasco.
the parade begins at 10:00
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: El desfile empieza a las diez.๐ซ๐ท French: Le dรฉfilรฉ commence ร dix heures.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Die Parade beginnt um zehn Uhr.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: La parata inizia alle dieci.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: O desfile comeรงa ร s dez horas.
๐บ๐ธ Cultural Note
Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July, celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
Many Americans celebrate with fireworks, parades, concerts, picnics, barbecues, and family gatherings. It is one of the biggest national holidays in the United States.
People often decorate with the American flag and wear red, white, and blue. Other countries also celebrate their own national days, such as Canada Day on July 1. The United Kingdom marks national occasions differently and does not have a single independence day.
โ Useful Questions
asking if someone will see the fireworks
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: ยฟVas a ver los fuegos artificiales?๐ซ๐ท French: Vas-tu regarder les feux d'artifice ?
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wirst du das Feuerwerk anschauen?
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Guarderai i fuochi d'artificio?
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Vocรช vai assistir aos fogos de artifรญcio?
asking if someone will cook outdoors
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: ยฟVan a hacer una barbacoa?๐ซ๐ท French: Faites-vous un barbecue ?
๐ฉ๐ช German: Macht ihr ein Grillfest?
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Farete un barbecue?
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Vocรชs vรฃo fazer um churrasco?
asking the location of the parade
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: ยฟDรณnde es el desfile?๐ซ๐ท French: Oรน est le dรฉfilรฉ ?
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wo findet die Parade statt?
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Dov'รจ la parata?
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Onde รฉ o desfile?
asking what someone does on the holiday
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: ยฟCรณmo celebras el Dรญa de la Independencia?๐ซ๐ท French: Comment cรฉlรจbres-tu la fรชte de l'Indรฉpendance ?
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wie feierst du den Unabhรคngigkeitstag?
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Come festeggi il Giorno dell'Indipendenza?
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Como vocรช celebra o Dia da Independรชncia?
๐ฌ Everyday Conversation
asking about plans for the holiday
A: Are you doing anything for the Fourth of July?
B: Yes, we're having a barbecue with family.
A: Are you going to watch the fireworks?
B: Of course! We always watch them after dinner.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ A: ยฟVan a hacer algo para el Cuatro de Julio?๐ช๐ธ B: Sรญ, vamos a hacer una barbacoa con la familia.
๐ช๐ธ A: ยฟVan a ver los fuegos artificiales?
๐ช๐ธ B: ยกClaro! Siempre los vemos despuรฉs de cenar.
๐ซ๐ท A: Vous faites quelque chose pour le 4 juillet ?
๐ซ๐ท B: Oui, nous faisons un barbecue en famille.
๐ซ๐ท A: Allez-vous regarder les feux d'artifice ?
๐ซ๐ท B: Bien sรปr ! Nous les regardons toujours aprรจs le dรฎner.
๐ฉ๐ช A: Macht ihr etwas zum 4. Juli?
๐ฉ๐ช B: Ja, wir grillen mit der Familie.
๐ฉ๐ช A: Schaut ihr euch das Feuerwerk an?
๐ฉ๐ช B: Natรผrlich! Wir schauen es uns jedes Jahr nach dem Abendessen an.
๐ฎ๐น A: Fate qualcosa per il Quattro Luglio?
๐ฎ๐น B: Sรฌ, facciamo un barbecue con la famiglia.
๐ฎ๐น A: Guarderete i fuochi d'artificio?
๐ฎ๐น B: Certo! Li guardiamo sempre dopo cena.
๐ต๐น A: Vocรชs vรฃo fazer alguma coisa no Quatro de Julho?
๐ต๐น B: Sim, vamos fazer um churrasco com a famรญlia.
๐ต๐น A: Vocรชs vรฃo assistir aos fogos de artifรญcio?
๐ต๐น B: Claro! Sempre assistimos depois do jantar.
๐ Example Sentences
the fireworks start at 9:00
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Los fuegos artificiales empiezan a las nueve.๐ซ๐ท French: Les feux d'artifice commencent ร neuf heures.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Das Feuerwerk beginnt um neun Uhr.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: I fuochi d'artificio iniziano alle nove.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Os fogos de artifรญcio comeรงam ร s nove.
we saw the parade as a group
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Vimos el desfile juntos.๐ซ๐ท French: Nous avons regardรฉ le dรฉfilรฉ ensemble.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wir haben uns gemeinsam die Parade angesehen.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Abbiamo guardato la parata insieme.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Assistimos ao desfile juntos.
people hold and move the flag in the air
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Muchas personas agitan banderas estadounidenses.๐ซ๐ท French: Beaucoup de gens agitent des drapeaux amรฉricains.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Viele Menschen schwenken amerikanische Flaggen.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Molte persone sventolano bandiere americane.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Muitas pessoas agitam bandeiras americanas.
we cooked outdoors behind the house
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Hicimos una barbacoa en el patio trasero.๐ซ๐ท French: Nous avons fait un barbecue dans le jardin.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wir haben im Garten gegrillt.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Abbiamo fatto un barbecue in giardino.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Fizemos um churrasco no quintal.
the group liked the live music
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Todos disfrutaron del concierto.๐ซ๐ท French: Tout le monde a apprรฉciรฉ le concert.
๐ฉ๐ช German: Alle haben das Konzert genossen.
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Tutti si sono goduti il concerto.
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Todos aproveitaram o concerto.
another common holiday greeting
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: ยกFeliz Cuatro de Julio!๐ซ๐ท French: Joyeux 4 juillet !
๐ฉ๐ช German: Schรถnen 4. Juli!
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Buon Quattro Luglio!
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Feliz Quatro de Julho!
๐ Final Practice
Read the situation. Choose the word that fits.
