primero de enero
/pɾimeɾo de eneɾo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, 'January first' is expressed as primero de enero.
The phrase is used to refer to the first day of the calendar year.
How does it change in a sentence?
In many Spanish-speaking regions, the ordinal number primero is used specifically for the first day of a month, while other days of the month use cardinal numbers (such as dos de enero). When you are referring to the date as a specific noun phrase, such as 'The first of January is a holiday', you should use the definite article el before the phrase to get el primero de enero.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾimeɾo de eneɾo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
While el uno de enero is common in many dialects, primero de enero is the more traditional way to express the first of the month using an ordinal number.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, el primero de enero is the day for the 'Año Nuevo' celebrations, which often include eating twelve grapes at midnight.
- The word enero comes from the Roman god Janus, who is the god of doorways and beginnings.
Examples in context
- La reunión se llevará a cabo el primero de enero.The meeting will take place on January first.
- El plazo de entrega vence el primero de enero.The deadline expires on January first.
- Vamos a la playa el primero de enero.Let's go to the beach on January first.
- ¡Feliz cumpleaños! Hoy es el uno de enero.Happy birthday! Today is January first.
- Mi cumpleaños es el primero de enero.My birthday is January first.
- El restaurante abre el primero de enero.The restaurant opens on January first.
- Necesito terminar esto antes del primero de enero.I need to finish this before January first.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their New Year's resolutions.
- Javier¿Vas a empezar la dieta el primero de enero?Are you going to start the diet on January first?
- SofíaSí, Javier, ese es mi plan.Yes, Javier, that is my plan.
- Javier¡Qué buena idea, Sofía!What a great idea, Sofia!
- SofíaEspero que esta vez sea verdad.I hope this time it is true.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, enero, primero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
