I have a meeting
in SpanishTengo una reunión
/TEN-go OOH-nah reh-oo-NYOHN/
This is the most direct, standard, and universally understood way to say 'I have a meeting.' It works in any context, from formal business settings to casually telling a friend why you're busy.
Letting someone know you're unavailable is easy. 'Tengo una reunión' clearly and politely explains you have a meeting.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Tengo junta
/TEN-go HOON-tah/
A very common alternative, especially in Mexico and other parts of Latin America. 'Junta' and 'reunión' are often interchangeable, though 'junta' can sometimes feel slightly more informal or internal to a company.
Estoy en una reunión
/es-TOY en OOH-nah reh-oo-NYOHN/
This translates to 'I am *in* a meeting.' It emphasizes that the meeting is happening right now.
Tengo un compromiso
/TEN-go oon kom-pro-MEE-so/
This means 'I have a commitment' or 'I have an engagement.' It's a more vague and polite way to say you're busy, without specifying that it's a meeting.
Tengo una cita
/TEN-go OOH-nah SEE-tah/
Be careful with this one! 'Cita' means 'appointment' (like with a doctor or a client) but it's also the primary word for a romantic 'date.' While it can be used for a scheduled business meeting, 'reunión' is usually clearer and safer to avoid confusion.
Tengo una videoconferencia / llamada
/TEN-go OOH-nah vee-deh-oh-kon-feh-REN-see-ah / yah-MAH-dah/
A more specific way to state the type of meeting: 'I have a videoconference / call.' This has become extremely common in modern work environments.
Ando en juntas
/AN-do en HOON-tahs/
A very colloquial and dynamic way to say 'I'm busy with meetings' or 'I've been in meetings.' The verb 'andar' here implies movement or being occupied with something over a period of time.
🔑Key Words
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right phrase depends on context, region, and what you want to communicate. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tengo una reunión | Neutral | Any situation, anywhere. It's the universal standard for a business meeting. | Never. It's always a safe and correct choice. |
| Tengo junta | Neutral | Sounding natural in Mexico and many Latin American countries. | In Spain, where 'reunión' is much more common and 'junta' can have more specific meanings (like a board of directors). |
| Tengo un compromiso | Formal/Polite | Politely declining an invitation without giving specific details. | You need to be specific about having a work meeting. It's intentionally vague. |
| Tengo una cita | Neutral | One-on-one appointments (doctor, client) or, in a different context, romantic dates. | Referring to a general group meeting to avoid potential confusion with a date. |
📈Difficulty Level
The word 'reunión' (reh-oo-NYOHN) can be tricky. The 'reu' is two distinct vowel sounds, not one, and the accent on the 'o' is important.
The structure is very simple: the verb 'tener' (I have) followed by a noun. It directly mirrors the English structure.
The main difficulty is choosing the right word for the context: 'reunión' vs. 'junta' (regional) vs. 'cita' (risk of confusion) vs. 'compromiso' (polite vagueness).
Key Challenges:
- Correctly pronouncing 'reunión'
- Knowing the subtle differences between 'reunión', 'junta', and 'cita'
💡Examples in Action
Lo siento, no puedo hablar ahora, estoy en una reunión importante.
I'm sorry, I can't talk right now, I'm in an important meeting.
No podré unirme al almuerzo, tengo junta a la una.
I won't be able to join for lunch, I have a meeting at one.
Le agradezco la invitación, pero ya tengo un compromiso para esa noche.
I appreciate the invitation, but I already have a commitment for that evening.
Mañana tengo el día lleno, con reuniones de la mañana a la noche.
Tomorrow my day is full, with meetings from morning till night.
🌍Cultural Context
The Nuance of 'Junta' vs. 'Reunión'
While often interchangeable, 'junta' can sometimes imply a more internal, regular, or operational meeting (like a board meeting, 'junta directiva'). 'Reunión' is a more general, all-purpose term. When in doubt, 'reunión' is always a safe bet.
Punctuality in the Business World
You may have heard of 'la hora latina' (Latino time), which refers to a more relaxed approach to time in social settings. However, in professional contexts, especially in major cities like Mexico City, Santiago, or Bogotá, punctuality for meetings is generally expected and respected, similar to in the US or Europe.
The Polite 'Compromiso'
Using 'tengo un compromiso' is a culturally savvy way to signal you're unavailable without having to provide a specific reason. It's seen as polite and respectful of the other person's time while maintaining your own privacy. It works for both professional and personal plans you don't wish to detail.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Cita' with 'Reunión'
Mistake: "Saying 'Tengo una cita con mi equipo' to mean 'I have a meeting with my team.'"
Correction: Tengo una reunión con mi equipo.
Using 'Estoy Teniendo'
Mistake: "Literally translating 'I am having a meeting' to 'Estoy teniendo una reunión.'"
Correction: Tengo una reunión (I have a meeting) or Estoy en una reunión (I am in a meeting).
Confusing 'Reunión' with 'Reencuentro'
Mistake: "Tengo un reencuentro con los de marketing."
Correction: Tengo una reunión con los de marketing.
💡Pro Tips
Be Specific When You Can
To sound more natural and provide more context, you can specify the type of meeting. For example: 'tengo una reunión de equipo' (team meeting), 'una reunión de ventas' (sales meeting), or 'una reunión con un cliente' (a meeting with a client).
Expressing a Packed Schedule
If you want to say you have a day full of meetings, you can say 'Tengo el día lleno de reuniones' or 'Voy de reunión en reunión' (I'm going from meeting to meeting). This is a great way to explain why you have no availability.
Politely Declining
When using this phrase to turn something down, it's always good to soften it. Start with 'Lo siento, pero...' (I'm sorry, but...), 'Qué pena, pero...' (What a shame, but...), or 'Me encantaría, pero...' (I'd love to, but...).
🗺️Regional Variations
Mexico
While 'reunión' is perfectly understood, 'junta' is extremely common in everyday business and casual speech. The phrase 'ando en juntas' is a very Mexican way to say you're tied up in meetings.
Spain
'Reunión' is the undisputed standard. 'Junta' is used almost exclusively for official boards or committees, like 'la junta de accionistas' (the shareholders' meeting). Using 'junta' for a regular team meeting would sound odd.
Argentina
'Reunión' is the standard term. Punctuality in the business environment of Buenos Aires is very important. 'Junta' is not as common as in Mexico.
💬What Comes Next?
After you say you have a meeting
¿A qué hora terminas?
What time do you finish?
Creo que a las cinco, más o menos.
I think around five, more or less.
When trying to schedule something
¿Podemos reprogramar la reunión?
Can we reschedule the meeting?
Claro, ¿te viene bien el viernes?
Of course, does Friday work for you?
When you say you're in a meeting
Vale, te llamo más tarde.
Okay, I'll call you later.
Perfecto, gracias.
Perfect, thanks.
🧠Memory Tricks
The English word 'reunion' is visually and phonetically similar, making it an easy link to remember for a gathering of people.
This vivid, slightly silly image connects the sound of the word 'junta' to the purpose of a meeting, making it more memorable, especially for the Mexican variation.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference lies in the word 'cita'. In English, 'appointment' and 'meeting' can overlap in a business context, but in Spanish, 'cita' carries a strong connotation of a one-on-one scheduled event or a romantic date. Using it for a group meeting can cause confusion, whereas English lacks this ambiguity. Spanish also offers 'compromiso' as a common, polite, and vague alternative that doesn't have a direct, one-word equivalent in everyday English for this context.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Translating this to 'Tengo una cita' is correct for a doctor or a formal client visit, but if you mean a general work meeting, it can be misleading.
Use instead: Use 'Tengo una reunión' for a general meeting and 'Tengo una cita' for specific, scheduled appointments (doctor, dentist, hairdresser) or romantic dates.
🎯Your Learning Path
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: I have a meeting
Question 1 of 3
You want to tell your coworker in Mexico City that you can't go to lunch because of a team meeting. What's the most natural-sounding option?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'reunión' and 'junta'?
'Reunión' is the universal, all-purpose word for 'meeting.' 'Junta' is also very common, especially in Mexico, but can sometimes refer to a more formal or official body, like a 'junta directiva' (board of directors). In casual Mexican business Spanish, they are practically synonyms. When in doubt, 'reunión' always works.
Is it ever okay to use 'cita' for a business meeting?
Yes, but it's best for formal, scheduled, one-on-one appointments. For example, 'Tengo una cita con el gerente de recursos humanos' (I have an appointment with the HR manager) is fine. However, for any group meeting, 'reunión' is much clearer and avoids any potential confusion with a romantic date.
How do I say 'I have back-to-back meetings'?
A great, natural way to say this is 'Tengo reuniones seguidas' (I have consecutive meetings) or 'Voy de reunión en reunión' (I go from meeting to meeting). You could also say 'Tengo el día lleno de reuniones' (My day is full of meetings).
Is 'Tengo una reunión' formal or informal?
It's neutral, which is what makes it so useful! You can say it to your boss, your friend, your partner, or a client. The formality of the situation is determined by your tone and the other words you use, like adding 'Lo siento, señor...' for formality.
How do I ask someone else if THEY have a meeting?
It's simple! You just turn the phrase into a question. For a formal situation (like with a client), you'd ask '¿Tiene usted una reunión?'. For an informal situation (like with a coworker or friend), you'd ask '¿Tienes una reunión?'.
What's the difference between 'reunión' and 'conferencia'?
A 'reunión' is a general meeting. A 'conferencia' is a conference or a lecture, usually a larger event with speakers and an audience. While you might have a 'videoconferencia' (videoconference), the general term for your daily team get-together is always 'reunión'.
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