Tengo una cita importante el próximo mes.

I have an important appointment next month.

Breakdown of Tengo una cita importante el próximo mes.

• yo: I
• tener: to have
• importante: important
• próximo: next
• el mes: the month
• una: a, an
• la cita: the appointment

Questions & Answers about Tengo una cita importante el próximo mes.

Why is it "Tengo una cita importante" instead of something like "Tengo que una cita importante"?

In Spanish, tengo simply means I have. If you say tengo que (with que after tengo), it means I have to. For an appointment or date, you just say tengo una cita to express I have an appointment (date). Saying tengo que una cita would be incorrect because tengo que must be followed by a verb in the infinitive (for example, Tengo que ir a una cita – I have to go to an appointment).

Does "cita" mean "appointment" or "romantic date"?

In Spanish, cita can mean both appointment or date, depending on context. For instance, if you’re talking about a doctor’s appointment, you can say Tengo una cita con el doctor. If you’re talking about a romantic date, you can also say Tengo una cita esta noche. Usually, the context or an added word (like con el médico, con el dentista, or romántica) makes it clear which one it is.

Why do we say "el próximo mes" and not something like "en el próximo mes"?

In Spanish, you can use el próximo mes to say next month directly. If you add en (in/at), it’s not incorrect, but it usually implies during the next month or in the course of next month. For a more direct reference to a future point in time, Spanish often just uses the definite article el plus the time expression: el próximo lunes (next Monday), el próximo año (next year), etc.

What is the role of "importante" at the end of the phrase?

In Spanish, adjectives usually follow the noun. So you typically say una cita importante instead of una importante cita. In everyday speech, the most common way is to put the adjective after the noun: la casa roja, el vestido bonito, una cita interesante.

Is it common to use "Tengo + noun" to express future plans?

Yes. Spanish often uses tengo (I have) plus a noun to talk about future obligations or plans, similar to how one might say I have a meeting or I have an appointment in English, implying in the future. The expectation is that it’s scheduled and set to happen, even if it hasn’t started yet.