en una cita
/en una θita/from spelling rules
The English phrase "on a date" is translated into Spanish as en una cita.
Spanish speakers often use the verb tener (to have) to express the state of having a date scheduled, as in tener una cita. To make it explicitly clear that you are referring to a romantic encounter rather than a professional appointment, you can use the phrase una cita romántica.
Which one should you use?
The word cita can refer to both a romantic date and a professional appointment. Because of this, you must rely on the context of the conversation to distinguish between the two meanings.
How do you pronounce it?
/en una θita/
Did you know?
- In a literary context, a cita is also the word for a direct quotation from a text.
- The word cita shares a common ancestor with the English word 'cite', as both stem from the idea of summoning or calling someone to a specific place.
- While en una cita describes the state of being on a date, the verb quedar is often used to describe the act of making the date happen.
Examples in context
- Tom salió en una cita con Mary.Tom went on a date with Mary.This sentence shows how to say someone went on a date with a specific person using en una cita.Tatoeba #1435951 by marcelostockle, translation #1140890 by CK
- Cuando los vi a los dos en una cita les pregunté: "¿Se van a casar?"When I saw the two of them on a date, I asked them: "Are you going to marry?"This sentence illustrates using en una cita when observing a couple together.Tatoeba #2192564 by marcelostockle, translation #2843663 by AlanF_US
- No puedo hablar ahora, estoy en una cita.I can't talk now, I am on a date.
Example conversation
Daniel calls María while she is at a restaurant.
- DanielHola, María, ¿tienes un momento para hablar?Hello, María, do you have a moment to talk?
- MaríaLo siento, Daniel, pero estoy en una cita.I'm sorry, Daniel, but I am on a date.
- Daniel¡Oh! No te interrumpo más entonces.Oh! I won't interrupt you anymore then.
- MaríaGracias, te llamo más tarde.Thanks, I'll call you later.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cita, en, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
