tener una cita
/teneɾ una θita/from spelling rules
The English phrase "going on a date" is translated into Spanish as tener una cita.
The phrase tener una cita is used to describe the act of going to a planned romantic meeting with another person. However, it is important to note that it is also the standard way to say "to have an appointment" (e.g., with a doctor or a lawyer).
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, tener una cita translates to "to have an appointment" or "to have a date".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the phrase cita a ciegas is commonly used to mean "going on a blind date".
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'I am going on a date' in the sense of 'I have one scheduled,' you would use the present tense tengo una cita to mean "I have a date".
How do you pronounce it?
/teneɾ una θita/
Did you know?
- The word cita shares a common ancestor with the English word 'cite', as both stem from the Latin verb meaning 'to summon' or 'to call upon'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the phrase quedar is used instead of tener una cita to suggest a casual meeting that might be romantic but is not yet an official date.
- In many Spanish-speaking contexts, using the verb salir with a person, such as salir con alguien, is often a more common way to express 'dating' someone as a relationship.
Examples in context
- Podemos quedar para salir el viernesWe can plan to go out on Friday
- Organicé una salida romántica para hoyI arranged a romantic outing for today
- Me gustaría tener una cita a ciegasI would like to go on a blind date
- ¿Te gustaría tener una cita amorosa conmigo?Would you like to go on a romantic date with me?
- Hagamos una salida romántica a un restaurante eleganteLet's have a romantic outing at a fancy restaurant
- Mañana tengo una cita con alguien especial.Tomorrow I have a date with someone special.
- Hoy voy a tener una cita.Today I am going to have a date.
- ¿Vas a tener una cita con él?Are you going to have a date with him?
- Ella quiere tener una cita esta noche.She wants to have a date tonight.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are talking at a cafe.
- SofíaAlejandro, ¿vas a tener una cita hoy?Alejandro, are you going to have a date today?
- AlejandroSí, tengo una cita a las ocho.Yes, I have a date at eight.
- Sofía¡Qué bien! Espero que te diviertas.That's great! I hope you have fun.
- AlejandroGracias, Sofía. Te contaré después.Thanks, Sofía. I'll tell you later.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cita, tener, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
