The Spanish word for “day” is día. It is a masculine noun, despite ending in -a, so say el día. The plural is días.
day = el día (plural: los días)
Meaning and Pronunciation
Día means “day.” The accent over í shows that the stress falls on the final syllable: DEE-ah. Keep the accent when writing the word.
Meaning: the day
Todo el día means “all day,” while todos los días means “every day”; see all in Spanish for this distinction. For a seven-day period, use semana, “week”.
Forms and Gender
Día is masculine, an important exception to the common pattern of nouns ending in -a. Its plural changes the accent to the first syllable of the ending: días.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el día | the day |
| un día | a day |
| los días | the days |
| cada día | every day |
Common Phrases with Día
- todos los días — every day
- buenos días — good morning
- un día libre — a day off
- el día siguiente — the following day
Different Ways to Use day
Core Meaning and Context
The central translation introduced above is the best place to start, but always read the surrounding sentence before choosing a word. A dictionary entry gives a useful equivalent; context shows which sense the speaker intends. Notice the subject, the action, and the words immediately before and after day. These clues help distinguish a literal meaning from a familiar phrase, and they prevent a translation from sounding awkward. When a word has more than one sense, compare the full examples rather than memorizing a single English gloss.
Common Sentence Patterns
Learn day as part of a short phrase instead of memorizing it alone. Pay attention to word order, articles, particles, verb forms, or grammatical endings in the examples. A form that works before one kind of word may need to change in another sentence. When you make your own example, keep the pattern simple and replace only one detail at a time; this makes it easier to see how the expression behaves. Reusing a complete pattern is usually more reliable than translating each word independently.
Choosing the Right Tone
Language choices also depend on who is speaking and the situation. A phrase used with friends may feel too casual in a work email, while a formal expression can sound stiff in relaxed conversation. The examples on this page show practical usage, but local habits vary by region and community. If you are unsure, choose a neutral expression and listen to how fluent speakers use it in comparable situations. The relationship between speakers can matter as much as the dictionary definition.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A common mistake is translating each English word separately and keeping English word order. Instead, identify the whole idea first, then use the natural construction in spanish. Also check spelling marks, capitalization, gender, number, and pronunciation where relevant. Read the complete sentence aloud once you have chosen a form. If it does not fit the context or sounds unlike the examples, revisit the meaning rather than forcing a direct one-to-one match. Keep a note of the phrase and its context so you can recognize when it applies again.
day in spanish: Quick Comparison
Use this quick guide to select the expression that fits the situation. The central translation is a useful starting point, while grammar and context determine the natural form.
| Situation | Check | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Basic meaning | The sense described above | Start with the direct equivalent. |
| Full phrase | Grammar and surrounding words | Match the complete construction. |
| Conversation | Relationship and formality | Choose a natural tone. |
| Writing | Spelling and standard form | Use the conventional written version. |
How to Pronounce day
Use the pronunciation guide and audio button near the top of the article. First listen without speaking, then repeat the word slowly and at a natural speed. Finally, practice it inside one of the example sentences. This last step matters because speech rhythm and neighboring sounds can change how a word feels when it is spoken naturally. Focus on the syllables and vowel sounds shown in the guide instead of relying only on English spelling.
For a short practice routine, say the word once by itself, repeat the complete phrase, and then use it in a new sentence. Keep the rhythm smooth; stressing every syllable equally can make a phrase sound unnatural. Listening and repeating the full example helps connect pronunciation with meaning and grammar.
Examples
- Hoy es un día bonito. — Today is a beautiful day.
- Trabajo cinco días a la semana. — I work five days a week.
- ¿Qué día es hoy? — What day is it today?
Frequently Asked Questions About Day in Spanish
Tap a question below to see the answer.
Is día masculine or feminine?
Día is masculine: el día.
What is the plural of día?
The plural is días.
Does día need an accent mark?
Yes. The correct spelling is día, with an accent over the í.
Summary: Day in Spanish
El día means “the day.” It is masculine, its plural is días, and the accent mark is part of the correct spelling.
