What it's NOT
jubilation does NOT translate to jubilación.
To say "jubilación" in English, use retirement.
ESEN
False cognate · False friend
jubilation
Does NOT mean jubilación
It means great joy / celebration
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
jubilation means great joy / celebration.
Why it's confused
Spanish "jubilación" is retirement from work after years of service. English "jubilation" is overflowing joy, the euphoria of celebrating an achievement. They share a root in Hebrew "yobhel" (jubilee year), but took different paths.
How it's pronounced
jubilationyu-bi-LÉI-shon
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Examples of correct use
English
There was jubilation after the win.
Spanish
Hubo mucho júbilo tras la victoria.
English
The crowd erupted in jubilation.
Spanish
La multitud estalló de alegría.
A trick to remember it
Jubilation = great joy/celebration. Retirement (Spanish "jubilación") = retirement.
Mini quiz
"Scenes of jubilation" are scenes of...
Frequently asked questions
What does "jubilation" mean in English?
"Jubilation" means "great joy / celebration". It looks a lot like "jubilación", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "jubilación" in English?
To say "jubilación" in English, use "retirement". If you use "jubilation" instead, you would actually be saying "great joy / celebration".
Do "jubilation" and "jubilación" mean the same thing?
Spanish "jubilación" is retirement from work after years of service. English "jubilation" is overflowing joy, the euphoria of celebrating an achievement. They share a root in Hebrew "yobhel" (jubilee year), but took different paths.
Other confusing false friends
More confusing false friends
Library, embarrassed, actually... the full list of words that look the same but mean something different.
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