primero de junio
/pɾimeɾo de xunjo/from spelling rules
The phrase "June first" in Spanish is primero de junio.
This phrase is used to refer to the first day of the month of June.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is constructed with the ordinal number primero (first), the preposition de (of) and the month junio (June).
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the phrase in a sentence to indicate a specific date, it is typically preceded by the definite article el, forming el primero de junio. In many Spanish-speaking regions, it is also common and grammatically acceptable to use the cardinal number uno instead of the ordinal number primero, resulting in el uno de junio.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid following English word order by saying junio primero. In Spanish, the day must precede the month.
Did you know?
- While English speakers use ordinal numbers for all dates, Spanish typically only uses the ordinal primero for the first of the month. Every other day from two to thirty-one is expressed using a cardinal number.
- If you use the word primero as an adjective rather than a date, it often changes its ending to primer when placed before a masculine noun. However, when stating the date el primero de junio, it always keeps the 'o'.
- The word junio shares its roots with the Latin name Iūnius, which was named after the Roman goddess Juno.
Examples in context
- Me casé el primero de junio.I got married on June first.This sentence is useful for showing how to use primero de junio when talking about a past event.Tatoeba #1707749 by marcelostockle, translation #3751715 by cromwellt
- Mi cumpleaños es el primero de junio.My birthday is June first.
- La clase empieza el primero de junio.The class starts on June first.
Example conversation
Javier and María are checking their calendar for a trip.
- Javier¿Cuándo es la cita?When is the appointment?
- MaríaEs el primero de junio.It is June first.
- JavierPerfecto, lo anotaré.Perfect, I will note it down.
- MaríaGracias, Javier.Thanks, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, junio, primero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
