Daily life
Empadronamiento
em-pa-dro-na-mee-EN-to
Registration on the municipal roll at the ayuntamiento. The single most important document in Spain — healthcare, schooling and your TIE all depend on it.
Cita previa
SEE-ta PREH-vee-a
The prior appointment required for almost every government office. Securing one is harder than the appointment itself.
NIE / TIE
nee-eh / tee-eh
The foreigner identity number and the physical card that carries it. The number comes first and everything else needs it.
Gestor
hes-TOR
A licensed administrative agent who handles bureaucracy for you. Normal in Spain, not an expat crutch, and worth the fee.
Terral
te-RRAL
The hot dry inland wind that pushes Seville's summer temperatures past 40 °C. When the terral arrives, plans change.
Culture
Semana Santa
se-MA-na SAN-ta
Holy Week — the brotherhoods' processions fill the streets day and night for a week and the city becomes genuinely impassable. It is the central event of the Sevillian year.
La Feria
la FEH-ree-a
The April fair — a fortnight after Semana Santa, a purpose-built city of private marquees, sevillanas dancing and horses. Most casetas are private and you need an invitation.
Caseta
ka-SEH-ta
A marquee at the Feria, almost all belonging to families, firms or associations. Getting into one depends entirely on knowing somebody.
Sevillanas
se-vee-YA-nas
The four-part folk dance everyone here learns as a child and dances at the Feria. It is not flamenco, though outsiders reliably confuse the two.
Social
Tapear
ta-peh-AR
To move between bars eating one or two small dishes at each rather than sitting down for a full meal. In Seville this is the default way to eat out.
Emergency
112
—
The single European emergency number for police, fire and ambulance. Free from any phone, with English-speaking operators usually available.
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.