Days of the Week in Spanish: Habits, Routines, and Meet-Ups
Time is a useful social construct.
Walk into any kindergarten classroom around the world and you’ll see proof that los días de la semana are some of the first vocabulary words that kids learn in any language. While they may not necessarily be learning the days of the week in Spanish, they’re certainly learning them in their native language.
At the same time (no pun intended), it’s interesting to realize that the days of the week and all other units of time were created by humans for humans. Even if we don’t know at any given moment what day or time it is, it’s generally accepted that a correct day and time does in fact exist. Furthermore, every person on Earth (regardless of the time zone they are in) follows the same clock—and many of us carry that clock in our pocket in the form of a mobile phone.
Time Differences Across the Cultures
Despite the world’s agreement on time as a fact, it is still perceived differently in certain areas. Europe and the United States, for example, are monochronic societies in which people value doing one thing at a time. Most people in these regions tend to adhere to a fixed schedule, where they complete tasks sequentially (one after the other) and take time commitments very seriously.
On the other hand, Latin America and most of Asia are made up of polychronic societies. In these areas, time is perceived as more fluid, where multitasking and interruptions are normal. As any person who has shown up “on time” for an event in Latin America and waited two hours for it to begin will tell you, time commitments are not set in stone for polychronic people.
Using the Days of the Week in Conversation
Although time is more fluid in Latin America, it is still essential to be able to refer to the days of the week in conversation. Here are some guidelines to help you with any discussions around your schedule, habits, and routines, as well as making plans and setting dates.
Reviewing El and Los
All 7 days of the week in Spanish are masculine nouns, meaning el and los are respectively the singular and plural definite articles we use when talking about them. Here are a few examples of phrases using el and los with specific days of the week.
Vamos a la fiesta el domingo por la tarde.
We’re going to the party on Sunday afternoon.
¿Quieres ir al club de libros? Es todos los jueves a las 11:00 a.m.
Do you want to go to the book club? It’s every Thursday at 11:00 a.m.
El nuevo año escolar comienza el martes por la mañana.
The new school year starts on Tuesday morning.
This Week Versus Next Week
Three main ways exist to say “next” in the context of the days, weeks, and months of the year. Understanding all three of these methods will come in handy when making appointments or discussing events that will be happening in the near future.
| Ways to Say “This” and “Next” in Spanish | ||
| English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
| this | este | ess-tay |
| this | esta | ess-tah |
| next | próximo/a | prox-ee-moh / mah |
| next | siguiente | see-ghee-en-tay |
| next | otro/a | oh-troh / trah |
¿Vas al partido de fútbol esta semana?
Are you going to the soccer game this week?
Juntémonos para almorzar este miércoles.
Let’s get together for lunch this Wednesday.
Voy a viajar a Cuba la próxima semana.
I’m going to travel to Cuba next week.
Tengo que trabajar el turno de noche el siguiente viernes.
I have to work the night shift next Friday.
Maria y Norma van a la playa el otro sábado.
Maria and Norma are going to the beach next Saturday.
Let’s Make a Date
Practice with these phrases to set a coffee date with friends and more!
¿Quisiera venir conmigo para tomar un café el lunes?
Would you like to go have coffee with me on Monday?
Vamos a salir para un cafecito este martes.
Let’s go out for coffee this Tuesday.
¿Quieres ir a ver una película el miércoles por la noche?
Do you want to go see a movie on Wednesday night?
Voy a una caminata el jueves a las 8:00 a.m. ¿Ustedes quieren venir conmigo?
I’m going hiking on Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. Do you all want to come with me?
Talking About Our Habits
The following phrases give examples of ways to discuss our habits and ongoing activities using days of the week in Spanish.
Juan sale a trotar cada viernes después del trabajo.
Juan goes running every Friday after work.
A ella le encanta invitar a sus amigos a su casa para un desayuno grande los sábados.
She loves to invite her friends to her house for a big breakfast on Saturdays.
¿Cómo te gusta pasar tu tiempo libre durante el fin de semana?
What is your favorite way to spend your free time on the weekend?
Trabajo en la tienda todos los domingos, martes y jueves.
I work at the store every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Ana va a nadar en el lago dos veces durante el mes.
Ana goes swimming in the lake twice a month.
What’s Your Plan for Today?
Practice these phrases to feel confident in conversations about your daily routine.
Hago yoga por 20 minutos cuando despierto cada mañana.
I practice yoga for 20 minutes when I wake up each morning.
Usualmente como huevos y fruta para el desayuno a las 8:00 a.m.
I usually eat eggs and fruit for breakfast at 8:00 a.m.
Tomo el autobús para ir a la escuela a las 9:30 a.m.
I take the bus to school at 9:30 a.m.
Después de la escuela los miércoles, siempre voy al parque con mi perro.
After school on Wednesdays, I always go to the park with my dog.
¿A que hora vas a acostarte?
What time do you go to bed?
Leo un libro por una media hora antes de dormir.
I read a book for half an hour before going to sleep.
More Schedule-Related Vocabulary
In every language, we measure time in terms of years, months, weeks, days, minutes, and seconds, as well as with concepts such as early, late, and “right on time.”
Por la mañana – In the morning
Antes / después del almuerzo – Before / after lunch
Al mediodía – At noon / midday
Por la tarde – In the afternoon
Por la noche – At night
Temprano – Early
Tarde – Late
Más tarde – Later (on)
Pronto – Soon
Ahora – Now
Ahorita – Right away (or whenever!)
Ayer – Yesterday
Hoy – Today
Mañana – Tomorrow
Anteayer – The day before yesterday
Pasado mañana – The day after tomorrow
Fill Your Days with Spanish Learning
Understanding how to use time words and the days of the week in Spanish is key for conversations! We hope you feel more confident setting up times for appointments, meetings, and dates after having read this guide. Practice your new skills today in a free class with one of our certified Spanish teachers at Homeschool Spanish Academy! We’d love to set a date with you!
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