el sábado
/el sabado/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'on Saturday' is translated into Spanish as el sábado.
el sábado is used to indicate that an event occurs on the specific day of the week called Saturday. You can specify the time of day by adding phrases after the day. In Spain and parts of Latin America, it is common to say los sábados por la tarde or los sábados por la noche to mean 'on Saturday afternoons/nights'. In parts of Latin America, it is customary to use los sábados en la mañana, en la tarde or en la noche to indicate the specific time of day.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express 'on Saturday' for a single occurrence, use the singular form el sábado. In Spanish, the definite article el is used to express the preposition 'on' when referring to a specific day of the week. If you want to express 'on Saturdays' to describe a habitual action, use the plural form los sábados.
How do you pronounce it?
/el sabado/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the preposition 'en' to mean 'on' when talking about days. English speakers often mistakenly say en el sábado instead of using the definite article el sábado.
Did you know?
- The word sábado is an ancient traveler that shares its roots with the Hebrew word šabbāṯ, which refers to the concept of a day of rest.
- In Spanish, switching el sábado to the plural los sábados changes the meaning from a single event to a habitual routine.
Examples in context
- No puedo ir el sábado.I can't go on Saturday.This sentence is useful for expressing an inability to attend something using el sábado.Tatoeba #2051637 by marcelostockle, translation #1951722 by CK
- El sábado estoy liado.I'm busy on Saturday.This sentence shows how to describe being busy on a specific day using el sábado.Tatoeba #7256821 by arh, translation #2046702 by CK
- El sábado llegó a Kioto.He reached Kyoto on Saturday.This sentence illustrates the use of el sábado when describing an arrival.Tatoeba #541854 by Shishir, translation #301855 by CN
- Tenemos una reunión importante el día sábado.We have an important meeting on Saturday.
- Las clases de inglés son los sábados.English classes are on Saturdays.
- Vamos al cine el sábado.We're going to the movies on Saturday.
- La fiesta será los sábados por la noche.The party will be on Saturday nights.
- Siempre hacemos ejercicio los sábados en la tarde.We always exercise on Saturday afternoons.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are planning a trip to the beach.
- Lucía¿Vamos a la playa el sábado?Are we going to the beach on Saturday?
- MateoSí, me parece un buen plan.Yes, that sounds like a good plan to me.
- LucíaPerfecto, nos vemos el sábado por la mañana.Perfect, I will see you on Saturday morning.
- MateoDe acuerdo, allí estaré.Alright, I'll be there.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, sábado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
