What does it mean word for word?
Literally, tener una cita means 'to have an appointment' or 'to have a date'.
Which one should you use?
While tener una cita can refer to a romantic date, it is also the standard way to say 'to have an appointment' (e.g., with a doctor or a lawyer). For a more informal way to express going on a date, you can use salir.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the verb salir is commonly used to express going on a date.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'I am going on a date,' Spanish speakers typically use the present tense tengo una cita (I have a date) rather than a literal translation of 'going'.
How do you pronounce it?
/teneɾ una θita/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying ir en una cita, which is a literal translation of 'go on a date' from English. Instead, use the natural idiomatic expression tener una cita.
Did you know?
- The word cita shares a common ancestor with the English word 'cite', both stemming from the idea of 'summoning' or 'calling' someone.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the phrase salir con alguien implies a more committed relationship status than the English 'going out with someone'. It often suggests the couple is officially 'together'.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría invitarte a salir. ¿Te gustaría ir al cine conmigo?I would like to ask you out. Would you like to go to the movies with me?
- ¿Me permitiría pedirle una cita?Would you allow me to ask you out?
- ¿Quieres salir conmigo este fin de semana?Do you want to go out with me this weekend?
- ¿Querés salir conmigo?Do you want to go out with me?
- Mañana voy a tener una cita.Tomorrow I am going to have a date.
- ¿Quieres tener una cita conmigo?Do you want to go on a date with me?
- Él quiere tener una cita con ella.He wants to go on a date with her.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are talking about their weekend plans at a cafe.
- Javier¿Vas a tener una cita este viernes?Are you going to have a date this Friday?
- SofíaSí, voy a tener una cita con un chico nuevo.Yes, I am going to have a date with a new guy.
- Javier¡Qué bien! Espero que te guste.That's great! I hope you like him.
- SofíaGracias, Javier. Estoy muy emocionada.Thanks, Javier. I am very excited.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cita, tener, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
