How to Say "Appointment" in Spanish and Use It in Real Situations

The word for appointment in Spanish is "cita"

Cita is the standard Spanish word for an appointment of any kind — a doctor's visit, a haircut, a meeting with a lawyer, a date. It works in every Spanish-speaking country and is what you will hear and read most often.

The pronunciation is SEE-tah, with the stress on the first syllable. When you say it aloud, the "c" sounds like the "th" in "think" in Spain, but like an "s" in most of Latin America. Either way is understood everywhere. You may also encounter consulta, which specifically means a medical consultation or appointment with a doctor. It is more formal and narrower in use than cita, so cita is the safer choice if you are unsure which word fits.

Key Takeaways

• Cita is the word you use for any appointment — medical, beauty, business, or personal — across all Spanish-speaking regions.
• The phrase "tengo una cita" means "I have an appointment" and is how you tell someone you cannot meet them at a certain time.
• To make an appointment, you say "quiero hacer una cita" (I want to make an appointment) or "¿puedo hacer una cita?" (can I make an appointment?).
• Consulta is used specifically for doctor or specialist visits and is more formal than cita, but cita works in medical settings too.

How to say common appointment phrases in Spanish

If you need to tell someone you have an appointment, say "Tengo una cita" — literally "I have an appointment." Add the time or day to be specific: "Tengo una cita a las tres" (I have an appointment at three o'clock) or "Tengo una cita el martes" (I have an appointment on Tuesday).

To ask for an appointment, use "¿Puedo hacer una cita?" (Can I make an appointment?) or "Quiero hacer una cita" (I want to make an appointment). Both are polite and direct. In a medical office or salon, either phrase will be understood immediately. If you need to cancel or reschedule, say "Necesito cancelar mi cita" (I need to cancel my appointment) or "¿Puedo cambiar mi cita?" (Can I change my appointment?). Follow with the date or time if you know it: "Mi cita es el jueves a las dos" (My appointment is Thursday at two).

Appointment-related words you may hear or need

When you call or visit to make an appointment, you may hear or need these related words:

• Horario — schedule or available times. "¿Cuál es tu horario?" means "What times do you have available?"
• Disponible — available. "¿Está disponible el martes?" means "Are you available Tuesday?"
• Confirmar — to confirm. "¿Necesitas que confirme mi cita?" means "Do I need to confirm my appointment?"
• Recordatorio — reminder. Some offices send a "recordatorio de cita" (appointment reminder) by text or phone.
• Llegar tarde — to be late. "Voy a llegar tarde a mi cita" means "I am going to be late to my appointment."
• Esperar — to wait. "¿Cuánto tiempo tengo que esperar?" means "How long do I have to wait?"

Learning these words helps you understand what a receptionist or staff member is asking and lets you communicate your needs clearly. Most appointment settings use the same vocabulary repeatedly, so after one or two visits you will recognize the phrases.

Regional differences and alternative words

Cita is understood and used everywhere Spanish is spoken, so you do not need to learn regional variations. However, you may hear compromiso (commitment or engagement) used informally in some places to mean an appointment or scheduled meeting, especially in South America. It is less formal than cita and more conversational, but cita is always the safer choice.

In some medical contexts, particularly in Spain, you may see consulta on paperwork or hear it from a receptionist. It means the same thing as a medical appointment but is the official term used by healthcare systems. If you are scheduling a doctor's visit, either word works, but the office will likely use consulta on their forms. When in doubt, use cita — it is correct everywhere and no one will misunderstand you.

How to use cita in a full sentence

Here are realistic sentences you might need to say or understand:

• "Tengo una cita con el dentista el viernes a las diez de la mañana" — I have a dentist appointment Friday at ten in the morning.
• "¿Puedo hacer una cita para el próximo mes?" — Can I make an appointment for next month?
• "Mi cita es a las dos, pero voy a llegar quince minutos tarde" — My appointment is at two, but I am going to be fifteen minutes late.
• "¿Necesito confirmar mi cita antes de ir?" — Do I need to confirm my appointment before I go?
• "Cancelé mi cita porque estoy enfermo" — I cancelled my appointment because I am sick.

These sentences cover the most common situations you will face when making, keeping, or changing an appointment. Practice saying them aloud so the words feel natural when you need them in a real conversation.

What to do if you do not understand the response

If someone responds in Spanish and you do not catch it, it is fine to ask them to slow down or repeat. Say "¿Puedes hablar más lentamente?" (Can you speak more slowly?) or "¿Puedes repetir?" (Can you repeat?). Most people who work in appointments — receptionists, salon staff, medical offices — are used to speaking with people who do not speak Spanish fluently and will adjust.

If you need to write down the appointment details, ask for them in writing: "¿Puedes escribir la fecha y la hora?" (Can you write down the date and time?). Many offices will give you a card or text you a confirmation anyway, so you have a record. Having the details in writing removes any chance of confusion about the day, time, or location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cita used for all types of appointments or just medical ones?

Cita is used for all types of appointments — doctor, dentist, hair salon, lawyer, business meeting, or a date with someone. It is the universal word. Consulta is more specific to medical or professional consultations, but cita works in those settings too.

How do I pronounce cita correctly?

Cita is pronounced SEE-tah, with stress on the first syllable. In Spain, the "c" sounds like "th" in "think," so it sounds like THEE-tah. In Latin America, the "c" sounds like "s," so it sounds like SEE-tah. Both are correct and understood everywhere.

What is the difference between cita and consulta?

Cita is the general word for any appointment. Consulta specifically means a medical or professional consultation and is more formal. In a doctor's office, you might see "consulta" on paperwork, but you can use cita when speaking to anyone about scheduling a doctor's visit.

Can I use cita to talk about a date with someone romantically?

Yes. Cita can mean a romantic date or a social meeting. "Tengo una cita" can mean "I have a date" or "I have an appointment," depending on context. If you want to be specific about a romantic date, you might say "cita romántica," but cita alone is understood both ways.

What should I do if I need to reschedule but do not know the Spanish words?

Say "Necesito cambiar mi cita" (I need to change my appointment) and show the date and time on your confirmation card or phone. Most appointment offices have staff who speak English or can work with you using gestures and written dates. You can also ask a Spanish-speaking friend to call ahead for you.