Inklingo

How to Say "appointment" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “appointment” is “cita” — use 'cita' for a general scheduled meeting, such as with a doctor, dentist, or for a business discussion.

cita🔊A2

Use 'cita' for a general scheduled meeting, such as with a doctor, dentist, or for a business discussion.

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consulta🔊A2

Choose 'consulta' specifically when referring to a professional visit, most commonly a doctor's visit or consultation.

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hora🔊A2

Use 'hora' when focusing on the specific time a meeting or event is scheduled, rather than the meeting itself.

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reserva🔊A2

While less common for general appointments, 'reserva' can be used for a scheduled time, particularly for services like a restaurant table or hotel room.

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fecha🔊B1

Use 'fecha' when referring to a specific date or deadline for an event or task, not a meeting with a person.

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designaciónB2

Use 'designación' when referring to the act of choosing or appointing someone to a specific job or role.

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nombramiento🔊B2

Choose 'nombramiento' for the formal act of giving someone a job, position, or official title.

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English → Spanish

cita

SEE-tahˈsita

nounA2general
Use 'cita' for a general scheduled meeting, such as with a doctor, dentist, or for a business discussion.
A colorful illustration showing two people enjoying a romantic date at a small cafe table outdoors.

Examples

Tengo una cita con el médico mañana.

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow.

¿Quieres tener una cita conmigo este viernes?

Would you like to go on a date with me this Friday?

No puedo llegar tarde a mi cita en el banco.

I can't be late to my appointment at the bank.

Always feminine

Cita is always feminine: 'una cita', 'la cita'. The ending never changes.

Use 'tener' not 'hacer'

You 'have' an appointment in Spanish: 'tener una cita'. Don't say 'hacer una cita'.

Mixing up appointment and quote

Mistake: “Saying 'Necesito una cita' when you need a quotation from a book.”

Correction: Both use 'cita', but add context: 'cita médica' (doctor) or 'cita del libro' (quote) to be clear.

consulta

kohn-SOOL-tahkonˈsulta

nounA2formal, professional
Choose 'consulta' specifically when referring to a professional visit, most commonly a doctor's visit or consultation.
A storybook illustration of a friendly doctor wearing a white coat sitting across a small desk from a patient. The doctor is holding a simple clipboard.

Examples

Tengo una consulta con el cardiólogo a las diez.

I have an appointment with the cardiologist at ten o'clock.

La consulta duró solo quince minutos porque era un caso simple.

The consultation only lasted fifteen minutes because it was a simple case.

Gender Reminder

Remember that 'consulta' is a feminine noun, so you always use 'la' or 'una' before it.

Using 'Cita' vs. 'Consulta'

Mistake: “Using 'cita' when you specifically mean the medical/professional act of advice, e.g., 'Tengo una cita médica.'”

Correction: While 'cita' is fine, 'consulta' is more specific to the act of seeking advice from an expert: 'Tengo una consulta con el médico.' (I have a consultation with the doctor.)

hora

OH-rahˈoɾa

nounA2general
Use 'hora' when focusing on the specific time a meeting or event is scheduled, rather than the meeting itself.
A friendly doctor in a white coat shaking hands with a patient at the doorway of an office, symbolizing a scheduled appointment or meeting time.

Examples

¿A qué hora empieza la clase?

What time does the class start?

Ya es hora de cenar.

It's time for dinner now.

Tengo hora con la dentista el viernes.

I have an appointment with the dentist on Friday.

'Hora de' + Action

Use the pattern 'hora de + [the base form of a verb]' to say it's time to do something. For example, 'Es hora de estudiar' (It's time to study).

Confusing 'hora' and 'tiempo'

Mistake: “No tengo una hora para ayudarte.”

Correction: No tengo tiempo para ayudarte. Use 'hora' for clock time or appointments. Use 'tiempo' for the general concept of time or an amount of time.

reserva

reh-SEHR-vahreˈseɾ.βa

nounA2general
While less common for general appointments, 'reserva' can be used for a scheduled time, particularly for services like a restaurant table or hotel room.
An elegant restaurant table where the chair is draped with a decorative red ribbon, visually indicating it is set aside and unavailable.

Examples

¿Tienes una reserva a mi nombre?

Do you have a reservation under my name?

Necesitamos hacer la reserva del hotel con antelación.

We need to make the hotel booking in advance.

Gender Reminder

Remember that 'reserva' is always feminine, so you must use 'la reserva' or 'una reserva'.

fecha

FEH-chahˈfetʃa

nounB1general
Use 'fecha' when referring to a specific date or deadline for an event or task, not a meeting with a person.
A small figure sprints towards a bright red finish line banner stretched across a field, symbolizing a deadline.

Examples

La fecha límite para entregar el trabajo es mañana.

The deadline to turn in the work is tomorrow.

Este fin de semana se juega la décima fecha de la liga.

The tenth matchday of the league is being played this weekend.

Pusimos una fecha para vernos de nuevo.

We set a date/time to see each other again.

Using 'Límite'

When talking about a 'deadline,' use the phrase 'fecha límite.' 'Límite' always follows 'fecha.'

designación

nounB2formal, official
Use 'designación' when referring to the act of choosing or appointing someone to a specific job or role.

Examples

La designación del nuevo director será anunciada el lunes.

The appointment of the new director will be announced on Monday.

nombramiento

nom-brah-mee-EHN-tohnombɾaˈmjento

nounB2formal, official
Choose 'nombramiento' for the formal act of giving someone a job, position, or official title.
A professional handshake between two people in a bright office, with one person handing over a shiny gold badge to symbolize a new job.

Examples

El nombramiento del nuevo director será mañana.

The appointment of the new director will be tomorrow.

Recibió su nombramiento oficial después de meses de espera.

She received her official appointment after months of waiting.

El presidente anunció el nombramiento de tres nuevas ministras.

The president announced the appointment of three new ministers.

Making Nouns from Verbs

This word is formed by taking the verb 'nombrar' (to name/appoint) and adding '-miento'. This is a common way in Spanish to turn an action into a thing or a process.

The Gender Rule

Nouns ending in '-miento' are almost always masculine, so you will always use 'el' or 'un' with this word.

Don't say 'una cita'

Mistake: “Usar 'cita' para hablar de un nuevo puesto de trabajo.”

Correction: Use 'nombramiento' when talking about someone getting a job. 'Cita' means a meeting or a romantic date.

General Meetings vs. Job Appointments

The most common confusion is between 'cita'/'consulta' for meetings and 'designación'/'nombramiento' for job roles. Remember that 'cita' and 'consulta' are for scheduled events with people, while 'designación' and 'nombramiento' refer to the official process of assigning someone to a position.

Related Translations

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