citar
“citar” means “to make an appointment” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to make an appointment
Also: to summon, to date
📝 In Action
El médico me citó para el próximo lunes a las diez.
A2The doctor scheduled me for an appointment next Monday at ten.
El juez va a citar a los testigos mañana.
B1The judge is going to summon the witnesses tomorrow.
La citaron en la cafetería para hablar del proyecto.
B1They asked her to meet at the cafe to talk about the project.
to quote
Also: to cite, to mention
📝 In Action
El estudiante citó a Shakespeare en su ensayo.
B2The student quoted Shakespeare in his essay.
Es importante citar todas las fuentes en la bibliografía.
B2It is important to cite all sources in the bibliography.
El político citó varios ejemplos de éxito.
C1The politician mentioned several examples of success.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "citar" in Spanish:
to quote→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: citar
Question 1 of 3
If you need to see a dentist, you should...
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From Latin 'citare', which means 'to put in motion', 'to call', or 'to summon'. It shares roots with 'excitement' (putting feelings in motion).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can 'citar' mean 'to go on a date'?
Not exactly. The verb 'citar' is the act of setting the appointment. If you want to say 'I have a date,' you say 'Tengo una cita'. If you want to say 'I'm dating him,' you say 'Estoy saliendo con él'.
Is 'citar' formal?
It is more formal than 'quedar'. If you are meeting a friend for coffee, use 'quedar'. If you are meeting a lawyer or your boss, use 'citar'.
What's the difference between 'citar' and 'mencionar'?
'Mencionar' is just a brief reference, while 'citar' often implies a specific time/place was set or specific words were repeated.

