Inklingo

How to Say "date" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “date” is “fecha” — use 'fecha' when referring to the specific day on a calendar, like 'today's date' or a specific event's date..

English → Spanish

fecha

/FEH-chah//ˈfetʃa/

nounA1general
Use 'fecha' when referring to the specific day on a calendar, like 'today's date' or a specific event's date.
A bright red thumbtack is pressed into a simple sheet of paper, marking a specific point or day.

Examples

¿Qué fecha es hoy?

What is today's date?

¿Cuál es la fecha de hoy?

What is today's date?

Necesito saber la fecha de tu vuelo.

I need to know the date of your flight.

Escribió la fecha en la parte superior de la carta.

He wrote the date at the top of the letter.

Asking the Date

To ask for the date, use the verb 'ser' (to be) with 'cuál': '¿Cuál es la fecha?'

Feminine Noun

Remember that 'fecha' is always feminine, so you use 'la fecha' (the date).

Using 'es' for the day

Mistake: “Es 15 de enero. (Incorrect structure)”

Correction: Hoy es 15 de enero. (Always include 'Hoy es' when stating the day of the month.)

cita

/SEE-tah//ˈsita/

nounA2general
Use 'cita' for an appointment with a professional (like a doctor) or a planned meeting, and also for a romantic rendezvous.
A colorful illustration showing two people enjoying a romantic date at a small cafe table outdoors.

Examples

Tengo una cita con el dentista a las tres.

I have a dentist appointment at three.

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.

salgan

SAHL-gahn/ˈsal.ɣan/

verb formB1general
Use 'salgan' (from 'salir') to describe people being in a romantic relationship, actively dating each other.
Two friends sitting at a small outdoor cafe table, laughing and enjoying coffee together, depicting a social outing.

Examples

Ellos salgan desde hace un año.

They have been dating for a year.

Mis padres quieren que salgan a bailar más a menudo.

My parents want them to go out dancing more often.

No es bueno que salgan con la misma persona por tanto tiempo.

It is not good that they date the same person for so long.

Subjunctive for Influence

This meaning often uses 'salgan' after verbs of influence, like 'querer' (to want) or 'sugerir' (to suggest), because you are influencing or wishing for their social actions.

valentín

/vah-lehn-TEEN//balenˈtin/

nounB1informal
Use 'valentín' to refer to a person you are romantically involved with specifically on Valentine's Day.
A bright red heart-shaped gift box tied with a pink ribbon, sitting on a simple background.

Examples

Mi valentín me dio flores.

My Valentine gave me flowers.

Le compré un valentín muy bonito a mi novia.

I bought a very nice valentine (gift/card) for my girlfriend.

¿Quién será tu valentín este año?

Who will be your valentine (date/sweetheart) this year?

Masculine Noun

Even though the word refers to an abstract concept (a card or gift), it is always treated as masculine: 'el valentín'.

Confusing the Day and the Gift

Mistake: “Using 'valentín' when you mean the holiday, which is usually 'Día de San Valentín'.”

Correction: Use 'el día de San Valentín' for the holiday, and 'el valentín' for the gift or person.

data

/dah-tah//ˈdata/

nounB2formal
Use 'data' to refer to the specific time or date a document or record was created, often implying age or origin.
An old scroll with a feather quill resting on a wooden desk.

Examples

El acta es de antigua data.

The minutes are of an old date (they are very old).

Este documento es de antigua data.

This document is of an old date (it's very old).

Es un problema de larga data en nuestra sociedad.

It is a long-standing problem in our society.

Feminine Noun

Even though it looks like the English word 'data', in Spanish this is a feminine noun, so you use 'la' or 'una' with it.

The 'Information' Trap

Mistake: “Using 'la data' to mean computer information.”

Correction: Use 'los datos' (masculine plural) for digital or statistical information. 'Data' in Spanish almost always refers to time or dates.

Confusing Calendar Dates with Appointments

Learners often confuse 'fecha' (calendar day) with 'cita' (appointment/meeting). Remember, 'fecha' is for the day itself, like 'May 5th', while 'cita' is for a scheduled event or a romantic meeting.

Related Translations

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