tengo una cita
/tenɡo una θita/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "I have a date" is said as tengo una cita.
The phrase tengo una cita is used to state that you have a planned meeting with another person. This can refer to a romantic encounter or a professional or medical appointment.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of tengo (I have), una (a/an) and cita (date/appointment/meeting).
Which one should you use?
While tengo una cita covers both romantic and professional contexts, you can specify that a date is romantic by using the phrase tengo una cita romántica.
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify the person you are meeting, use the preposition con after the phrase, as in tengo una cita con… (I have a date with…).
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo una θita/
Did you know?
- The word cita can also refer to a famous or important quote in certain literary contexts, derived from the idea of being 'called' to speak.
- The word cita shares a common ancestor with the English word 'citation', as both derive from the Latin root meaning 'to summon' or 'to call'.
- While tengo una cita is perfectly correct, Spanish speakers often use the verb quedar (to meet/stay) to express the act of having plans, such as in tengo que quedar con alguien.
Examples in context
- Tengo una cita a las tres.I have a date at three.This sentence is useful for stating the time of your appointment using tengo una cita.Tatoeba #3441815 by Shishir, translation #3444807 by macaboy
- Tengo una cita el viernes.I have a date on Friday.This sentence is useful for stating the day of your appointment using tengo una cita.Tatoeba #4392431 by pchamorro, translation #2358684 by CK
- Tengo una cita con él a las seis.I have a date with him at six.This sentence is useful for specifying the person you are meeting with tengo una cita.Tatoeba #1058249 by Shishir, translation #1448544 by el_vecino
- Tengo una cita a las 8 de la noche con la Sra. Gómez.I have a date at 8 p.m. with Mrs. Gómez.
- ¡Tengo una cita en el cine con Teresa mañana!I have a date at the movies with Teresa tomorrow!
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are talking about their plans for the evening.
- MateoNo puedo ir, tengo una cita hoy.I can't go, I have a date today.
- Lucía¿En serio? ¿Con quién es?Really? Who is it with?
- MateoEs con una chica que conocí ayer.It's with a girl I met yesterday.
- Lucía¡Qué bien! Diviértete mucho, Mateo.That's great! Have a lot of fun, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cita, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
