Bolivia situation guide
Sharing a decision, not asking permission to make it
In this scene the couple has already decided, the blessing you ask for is a shared celebration ritual, not a gate the decision needs to pass through. Some families do this moment as a formal ask like the one here; others decide together and simply tell the family afterward, and both are completely normal. "Todavía no tenemos fecha, vamos con calma" is a full, respected answer to the question that always comes next, and it can be repeated warmly through a second or third push without ever needing to become a promise. An elder's emotional reaction (tears, a blessing line, a long hug) is warmth, not something to manage, and receiving it gracefully is its own small skill. Throughout, the decision is framed as something the couple made together, never as one partner asking the other's family for permission.
Essential vocabulary
- la bendición: the blessing The core ask of the whole scene, addressed to both parents together.
- casarnos: to get married (reflexive, "us") The decision itself, the reflexive form names it as something the couple does together.
- seguro / segura: sure, certain Names your confidence in the decision; both gendered forms are accepted throughout.
- significa: it means Lets you name what the family's agreement or blessing means to you, without making it a condition.
- la fecha: the date The question that always comes next, you can hold "todavía no tenemos fecha" as a complete answer.
- con calma: calmly, taking your time Names the pace the couple is choosing without needing to defend it.
- de corazón: from the heart, sincerely Adds real warmth to a thank-you or a reassurance in an emotional moment.
Bolivian Spanish terms
- un montón: a lot, loads (of affection) A warm, common way to intensify "los queremos", heard constantly in close family talk.
- vamos con calma: we're taking it slow / no rush A complete, respected answer to planning-pressure questions, nobody needs to justify it further.
- de verdad: really, honestly A small tag that signals sincerity, useful when repeating an honest answer under a second or third push.
Useful phrases
- Queríamos contarles algo.: We wanted to tell you all something. The soft, warm opener before sharing any big family news.
- Vamos a casarnos, y queríamos pedirles su bendición.: We're getting married, and we wanted to ask you both for your blessing. The core announcement and blessing request, addressed to both parents together.
- Todavía no tenemos fecha, vamos con calma.: We still don't have a date, we're taking our time. The complete, honest answer to "¿para cuándo?" No date owed until there is one.
- Para nosotros significa mucho que estén de acuerdo.: It means a lot to us that you're on board. Naming what the family's warmth means without making it a condition on the decision.
- Decidamos lo que decidamos, ustedes van a ser parte de todo.: Whatever we decide, you're all going to be part of everything. Reassuring the family they're fully included, even before any detail is set.
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Weddings, Padrinos and Compadrazgo in Bolivia, Spanish