Inklingo

How to Say "you date" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “you date” is “fechas” — use this when you mean to put a specific date on a document or item..

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fechas

/FEH-chahs//ˈfetʃas/

verbB1formal
Use this when you mean to put a specific date on a document or item.
A hand holding a wooden stamp and pressing it onto a piece of paper.

Examples

Tú fechas la carta antes de ponerla en el sobre.

You date the letter before putting it in the envelope.

Verbs as nouns

While 'fechas' is the 'you' form of the verb, its use as the plural noun 'dates' is much more common in daily Spanish.

salgas

/sahl-gahs//ˈsalɣas/

verbA2informal
Use this when you mean to go out socially with someone, often romantically.
A child is stepping through an open doorway, moving from the interior of a room to the exterior, illustrating the action of leaving or departing.

Examples

Quiero que salgas a tomar un poco de aire fresco.

I want you to go out and get some fresh air.

No creo que salgas con ella este fin de semana.

I don't think you are dating her this weekend. / I don't think you will go out with her this weekend.

¡No salgas sin tu paraguas, va a llover!

Don't leave without your umbrella, it's going to rain!

The Subjunctive Mood

Salgas is the special verb form (present subjunctive) you must use after words that express wishes, emotions, necessity, or doubt, especially when two different people are involved (e.g., 'I want that you leave').

Negative Commands

When you tell someone (tú) 'Don't leave,' you use 'No salgas.' The negative command form is exactly the same as the present subjunctive form.

Confusing Indicative and Subjunctive

Mistake: “Espero que sales pronto. (Using the regular present tense)”

Correction: Espero que salgas pronto. (Using the special form for wishes). Remember to use 'salgas' when you are wishing or hoping for the action.

Dating a Person vs. Dating a Document

Learners often confuse 'fechas' (to date a document) with verbs like 'salir con' (to date a person). Remember that 'fechas' is for assigning a calendar date, while going out with someone requires a different verb entirely.

Related Translations

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