mi cita
/mi θita/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "my date" is translated as mi cita.
The phrase mi cita is used to refer to a person you are accompanying to a social or romantic event, but it is also used to refer to the appointment or meeting itself. Because of this, it can be ambiguous. It can mean both the person you are with and the scheduled encounter (such as a romantic date or a professional appointment).
Which one should you use?
While mi cita can refer to the person, it is inherently ambiguous as it also describes the meeting or appointment itself. If you wish to emphasize that the person is someone accompanying you, you can use the alternative mi acompañante.
How do you pronounce it?
/mi θita/
Did you know?
- The word cita is also the standard term used in Spanish for a 'quote' from a book or a famous person.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, if you say 'tengo una cita' without further context, people will likely assume you are going to a doctor or a lawyer rather than a romantic encounter.
- The word cita shares a common ancestor with the English word 'cite'. Both derive from the same Latin root meaning to summon or call upon someone.
Examples in context
- Mi acompañante en el evento será mi jefaMy date for the event will be my boss
- Hoy voy a salir con mi ligueToday I'm going out with my date
- Voy a pasar la tarde con mi churriI'm spending the afternoon with my sweetheart
- Ella es mi cita para la cena.She is my date for dinner.
Example conversation
Javier and María are arriving at a wedding party.
- JavierHola, ella es mi cita para hoy.Hello, she is my date for today.
- MaríaMucho gusto, es un placer conocerte.Nice to meet you, it is a pleasure to meet you.
- JavierMaría, ella es mi amiga de la universidad.María, she is my friend from university.
- MaríaQué bueno que trajeras a mi cita favorita.How great that you brought my favorite date.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cita, mi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
