doce de octubre
/doθe de oɡtubɾe/from spelling rules
The English phrase "October 12" is translated into Spanish as doce de octubre.
This phrase refers to the twelfth day of the tenth month of the year. In Spanish, dates follow a structure of [number] + de + [month], which differs from the English order of [month] + [number].
Which one should you use?
While doce de octubre is the standard way to write the date, in written contexts it is common to use the numeral 12 de octubre instead of writing out the word doce.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, October 12 is known as El Día de la Hispanidad. In some Latin American countries, the date is referred to as El Día de la Raza.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the date as a specific day in a sentence, use the definite article el before the number, as in el doce de octubre.
How do you pronounce it?
/doθe de oɡtubɾe/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly capitalize the month in Spanish. However, octubre should remain lowercase.
Did you know?
- While the date is a national holiday in Spain, some Latin American countries have shifted the focus of El Día de la Raza toward celebrating Indigenous peoples rather than Spanish colonization.
- The Spanish word doce comes from the Latin duodecim, which literally means 'two and ten'.
- While the English 'October' comes from the Latin 'octo' meaning 'eight', the Spanish octubre follows the same root despite being the tenth month.
Examples in context
- El doce de octubre de 1492The twelfth of October, 1492
- ¡Hoy es el 12 de octubre, qué coincidencia!Today is October 12, what a coincidence!
- Hoy se celebra el doce de octubre, fecha de gran importancia histórica.Today we commemorate October 12, a date of great historical importance.
- La fiesta es el doce de octubre.The festival is on October 12th.
- ¿Cuándo es tu cumpleaños? Es el doce de octubre.When is your birthday? It is October 12th.
- Tengo una cita el doce de octubre.I have an appointment on October 12th.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are discussing a holiday in a café.
- Sofía¿Sabes qué día cae el doce de octubre?Do you know what day October 12th falls on?
- DanielSí, es un día festivo en España.Yes, it is a public holiday in Spain.
- SofíaDaniel, ¿tienes planes para ese día?Daniel, do you have plans for that day?
- DanielNo, Sofía, creo que trabajaré.No, Sofía, I think I will work.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, doce, octubre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
