Inklingo

citar

see-TAHR/θiˈtaɾ/

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
VerbA2regular ar
Two people shaking hands in a bright, modern office to confirm a meeting.
gerundcitando
past Participlecitado
infinitivecitar

📝 In Action

El médico me citó para el próximo lunes a las diez.

A2

The doctor scheduled me for an appointment next Monday at ten.

El juez va a citar a los testigos mañana.

B1

The judge is going to summon the witnesses tomorrow.

La citaron en la cafetería para hablar del proyecto.

B1

They asked her to meet at the cafe to talk about the project.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • citar a alguiento summon someone / to make an appointment with someone
  • citarse con alguiento agree to meet with someone

to quote

Also: to cite, to mention
VerbB2regular arformal
A public speaker at a podium with a speech bubble showing a small icon of a book to represent quoting a source.
gerundcitando
past Participlecitado
infinitivecitar

📝 In Action

El estudiante citó a Shakespeare en su ensayo.

B2

The student quoted Shakespeare in his essay.

Es importante citar todas las fuentes en la bibliografía.

B2

It is important to cite all sources in the bibliography.

El político citó varios ejemplos de éxito.

C1

The politician mentioned several examples of success.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • citar textualmenteto quote word-for-word
  • citar fuentesto cite sources

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedescitaran
yocitara
citaras
vosotroscitarais
nosotroscitáramos
él/ella/ustedcitara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesciten
yocite
cites
vosotroscitéis
nosotroscitemos
él/ella/ustedcite

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedescitaron
yocité
citaste
vosotroscitasteis
nosotroscitamos
él/ella/ustedcitó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedescitaban
yocitaba
citabas
vosotroscitabais
nosotroscitábamos
él/ella/ustedcitaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedescitan
yocito
citas
vosotroscitáis
nosotroscitamos
él/ella/ustedcita

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
🎵 Rhymes
📚 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)

English: citeFrench: citerItalian: citare

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

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.