Inklingo
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mes

/mess/

month

A sequence illustrating the full cycle of the moon, from new moon to full moon, representing the passage of a month.

The primary meaning of 'mes' is 'month', a unit of time historically tied to the cycle of the moon.

mes(Noun)

mA1

month

?

a period of about 30 days

📝 In Action

Enero es el primer mes del año.

A1

January is the first month of the year.

Mi cumpleaños es el mes que viene.

A1

My birthday is next month.

Trabajé allí durante un mes.

A2

I worked there for a month.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • el mes pasado – last month
  • el mes que viene / el próximo mes – next month
  • a principios de mes – at the beginning of the month
  • a mediados de mes – in the middle of the month
  • a finales de mes – at the end of the month
  • una vez al mes – once a month

Idioms & Expressions

  • echarle los meses a alguien – to guess someone's due date (for pregnancy)

💡 Grammar Points

Singular vs. Plural

To talk about one month, use 'un mes'. For more than one, the 'z' sound at the end changes to a 'c' sound: 'meses'. For example, 'dos meses' (two months), 'seis meses' (six months).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Saying 'for a month'

Mistake: "Estuve de vacaciones por un mes."

Correction: It's more natural to say 'Estuve de vacaciones un mes' or '...durante un mes' to mean 'for a month'. Using 'por' here can sometimes be understood as 'per month'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Talking about Dates

When saying a specific date, you usually say 'el [number] de [mes]'. For example, 'el cinco de mayo'. You don't need 'on the' like in English.

A simplistic depiction of a person curled up comfortably on a couch, holding a heating pad to their abdomen, symbolizing menstrual cramps.

Informally, 'el mes' can be used as a euphemism for 'period' or 'menstruation.

mes(Noun)

mB2

period / menses

?

menstruation

📝 In Action

Este mes todavía no me ha venido el mes.

B2

I haven't gotten my period yet this month.

Tengo dolores porque estoy con el mes.

B2

I have cramps because I'm on my period.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • la regla (the period)
  • la menstruación (the menstruation)

Common Collocations

  • tener el mes – to have one's period
  • venirle el mes a alguien – for someone to get their period

❌ Common Pitfalls

Context is Key

Mistake: "Using 'el mes' in a formal or medical context when you mean menstruation."

Correction: In formal or medical situations, use 'la menstruación' or 'el período menstrual' for clarity. 'El mes' is better for casual conversation.

⭐ Usage Tips

Always Masculine

Even when referring to menstruation, the word 'mes' is still a masculine word: 'el mes'. Don't get confused and say 'la mes'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: mes

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'mes' to mean something other than a unit of time?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

mensual(monthly) - adjective
mensualmente(monthly) - adverb
mesada(monthly allowance / pension) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I say 'the months of the year' in Spanish?

You say 'los meses del año'. Unlike in English, the names of the months in Spanish are not capitalized unless they start a sentence. For example: 'enero, febrero, marzo...'

Is it 'el mes que viene' or 'el próximo mes' for 'next month'?

Both are correct and very common! 'El próximo mes' is slightly more formal, but you can use them interchangeably in most conversations.