cita
/ˈθita/feminine
The Spanish word for 'quote' (a statement attributed to someone) is cita. Wiktionary also lists citación.
Meaning: a statement attributed to someone (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cita | /ˈθita/ /ˈsita/ |
feminine |
| citación | /θitaˈθjon/ /sitaˈsjon/ |
feminine |
The word cita is used to refer to a literary or general quote. If you wish to describe the act of putting text within quotation marks, you can use the verb entrecomillar or use acotar to refer to the act of citing a statement made by someone else.
Which one should you use?
While cita refers to a general or literary quote, citación is a specific legal term used for a formal summons or a court citation. Note that cita is polysemous and can also mean 'an appointment' depending on the context.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
cita and citación are both feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈθita/
Did you know?
- The verb entrecomillar used to place text in quotation marks literally translates to 'to put between commas'.
- The Spanish cita shares a common ancestor with the English word 'cite', both descending from the Latin verb 'citare' which meant 'to summon' or 'to set in motion'.
- If you tell a Spanish speaker you have a cita, they might not think you are reading a book, but rather that you have a romantic date or a doctor's appointment.
Examples in context
- Es una cita del libro.It's a quote from the book.This sentence is useful for identifying a quote from a specific book using cita.Tatoeba #1429068 by Shishir, translation #1428807 by Eldad
- Es una cita de un libro.It's a quote from a book.Tatoeba #1428865 by marcelostockle, translation #1428803 by Eldad
- Esta es una cita de la Biblia.This is a quote from the Bible.This sentence is useful for identifying a quote from the Bible using cita.Tatoeba #10092979 by manufrutos, translation #10088577 by ddnktr
- Según la famosa cita de Albert Einstein, "La imaginación es más importante que el conocimiento."According to the famous quote by Albert Einstein, "Imagination is more important than knowledge."
- Como dice el refrán, "Más vale tarde que nunca."As the saying goes, "Better late than never."
- En un momento de enfado, mi amigo soltó aquella famosa frase hecha: "Más vale tarde que nunca."In a moment of anger, my friend blurted out that famous ready-made phrase: "Better late than never."
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are discussing a book at a cafe.
- Lucía¿De quién es esta cita?Whose quote is this?
- JavierEs una cita de un autor clásico.It is a quote from a classic author.
- LucíaEs una cita muy bonita, Javier.It is a very beautiful quote, Javier.
- JavierSí, me encanta su estilo.Yes, I love his style.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “quote” translations and entries cita, citación, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cita, citación, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
