el primero de septiembre
/el pɾimeɾo de sebtjembɾe/from spelling rules
The first of September in Spanish is el primero de septiembre.
This phrase is used to refer to the first day of the month of September.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to the first day of a month in Spanish, the ordinal number primero is used instead of the cardinal number uno.
How do you pronounce it?
/el pɾimeɾo de sebtjembɾe/
What mistakes should you avoid?
While el uno de septiembre is sometimes heard in casual speech, el primero de septiembre is the standard and grammatically preferred way to state the date.
Did you know?
- The word el is derived from the Latin ille, making it a false cognate of the Arabic word al despite their identical sound and function as articles.
- The word septiembre is a 'semi-learned' form, meaning it was intentionally adjusted by scholars to look more like the original Latin septembrem than the native Spanish setiembre.
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, el primero de septiembre marks the official beginning of the school year, echoing the 'back to school' sentiment familiar to English speakers.
Examples in context
- Quedamos el 1º de septiembre para celebrar.Let's meet on the first of September to celebrate.
- El primero de septiembre es mi cumpleaños.The first of September is my birthday.
- Las clases comienzan el primero de septiembre.Classes begin on the first of September.
- Tengo una cita el primero de septiembre.I have an appointment on the first of September.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are discussing their travel plans.
- Mateo¿Cuándo regresas de tus vacaciones, Lucía?When do you return from your vacation, Lucía?
- LucíaRegreso el primero de septiembre.I return on the first of September.
- MateoEso es muy pronto.That is very soon.
- LucíaSí, tengo que trabajar.Yes, I have to work.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, el, primero, septiembre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
