Which one should you use?
While esta semana refers to the current week, esa semana is used to refer to a week in the relatively recent past or a week previously mentioned in conversation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To sound particularly formal, you can use the expression en el transcurso de la semana. For an informal and friendly tone, you can use esta semanita.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, it is common to add 'en' before the phrase, resulting in en esta semana. In Mexico, the phrase esta semana que entra is commonly used to refer to the upcoming week.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the feminine singular demonstrative adjective esta to agree with the feminine singular noun semana.
How do you pronounce it?
/esta semana/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using este semana. Because 'week' is not gendered in English, speakers often mistakenly use the masculine este instead of the feminine esta.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the week traditionally begins on Monday, meaning esta semana starts on a different day than it does for many English speakers.
- To refer to the upcoming week, Mexicans often say esta semana que entra, which literally means 'this week that enters'.
- Spanish uses the diminutive semanita not only for affection but also to make a daunting workload for esta semana feel more manageable.
Examples in context
- Ya dormí esta semana.I've already slept this week.Tatoeba #3564993 by ficion, translation #3519206 by RU
- Trabajé toda esta semana.I worked all this week.Tatoeba #3415026 by cueyayotl, translation #242096 by hasentier
- ¿Qué hiciste esta semana?What did you do this week?Tatoeba #6678847 by UsuarioX, translation #955166 by CM
- Tengo una reunión importante esta semana.I have an important meeting this week.
- Vamos a ir al cine esta semana.We are going to the movies this week.
- Necesito terminar este proyecto esta semana que entra.I need to finish this project next week.
- Vengan a visitarme esta semana que entra.Come visit me next week.
- Durante esta semana, espero recibir el informe solicitado.During this week, I expect to receive the requested report.
- En el transcurso de la semana, se evaluarán las propuestas presentadas.Throughout the week, the submitted proposals will be evaluated.
- Esta semanita vamos a celebrar mi cumpleaños.We're going to celebrate my birthday this week.
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are discussing their schedules.
- María¿Tienes tiempo para salir esta semana?Do you have time to go out this week?
- AlejandroLo siento, estoy muy ocupado esta semana.I'm sorry, I am very busy this week.
- MaríaQué lástima, yo quería ir al cine.What a shame, I wanted to go to the cinema.
- AlejandroPodemos ir la próxima semana, María.We can go next week, María.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
