Himno Nacional is the Spanish expression used to refer to a country's official national anthem. In literal terms it can be rendered as “national hymn,” but in English contexts it is normally translated as “national anthem.”
Use and meaning
In Spanish-speaking countries the phrase Himno Nacional is often part of the formal title of an anthem or the way people refer to it in official and ceremonial contexts. Some nations place the country name after the phrase (for example, Himno Nacional de [country]), while others give their anthem an individual name that is used more commonly in speech and writing.
Examples
- Argentina: commonly called the Himno Nacional Argentino, the official anthem of the country.
- Mexico: frequently referred to as the Himno Nacional Mexicano or simply the national anthem of Mexico.
- Chile: known in formal contexts as the Himno Nacional de Chile.
- Uruguay: the official anthem is commonly named the Himno Nacional de Uruguay.
- Colombia: officially identified as the Himno Nacional de la República de Colombia in formal texts.
- Cuba: officially the Himno Nacional de Cuba, and popularly referred to by its traditional title, La Bayamesa.
- Spain: the national anthem is known as the Marcha Real; it is the country’s anthem but not commonly titled Himno Nacional.
Notes
The way an anthem is named varies by country and by historical tradition. While many Spanish-speaking states use Himno Nacional as part of the official designation, others employ a distinctive title that may be preferred in everyday usage.