Por fin tenemos una cita mañana por la tarde.

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Questions & Answers about Por fin tenemos una cita mañana por la tarde.

What nuance does por fin add, and can it appear elsewhere in the sentence?

Por fin means at last/after a wait and conveys relief (often after delays or effort). It’s more emotive than neutral finalmente. Natural placements:

  • Por fin tenemos una cita mañana por la tarde. (most common)
  • Tenemos por fin una cita mañana por la tarde. (focus on the noun phrase)
  • Tenemos una cita, por fin. (afterthought, emphatic) All are correct; choose based on emphasis.
Why is the present tense tenemos used to talk about a future appointment?

Spanish often uses the present for scheduled future events, especially fixed plans:

  • Mañana por la tarde tenemos una cita. (idiomatic) Alternatives:
  • … tendremos una cita. (more formal/detached, prediction-like)
  • … vamos a tener una cita. (plan/intention) All work; the present sounds most natural for a set appointment.
Does cita mean an appointment or a romantic date in Spain?

Both; context clarifies.

  • Professional: tengo cita con el médico / en el consulado.
  • Romantic: tengo una cita often implies a date.
  • Neutral meet-up with friends is commonly quedar: Quedamos mañana por la tarde.
Why is it una cita and not la cita?
  • una cita = an appointment/date not previously specified.
  • la cita = the specific appointment both speakers already know about. Example: ¿Conseguiste la cita? Sí, por fin tenemos la cita.
Can I drop the article and say tenemos cita?
Yes, especially with professional appointments: Mañana tenemos cita con el dentista. For a romantic date, tener una cita with the article is more usual.
Why is it por la tarde and not en la tarde or de la tarde?
  • por la tarde = in the afternoon (unspecified time).
  • de la tarde only with a specific clock time: a las cinco de la tarde.
  • en la tarde / a la tarde are regional in Latin America and uncommon in Spain.
Does mañana mean tomorrow or morning here?

Here it means tomorrow. Without an article, mañana = tomorrow. With the article, la mañana = the morning.

  • Mañana por la tarde… (tomorrow afternoon)
  • Por la mañana… (in the morning)
Is saying mañana por la mañana acceptable, or is it redundant?

It’s standard and natural for tomorrow morning. Alternatives:

  • Mañana a primera hora (first thing)
  • Mañana temprano (early)
Can I change the word order?

Yes. Common options:

  • Por fin tenemos una cita mañana por la tarde. (original)
  • Mañana por la tarde, por fin tenemos una cita.
  • Mañana por la tarde tenemos una cita, por fin. Keep una cita together; avoid splitting the noun phrase awkwardly.
Should there be a comma after Por fin?
Not necessary. Por fin tenemos… is fine without a comma. You may add one for a deliberate pause (Por fin, tenemos…), but everyday writing typically omits it.
In Spain, what times count as la tarde?
Roughly from after lunch to nightfall: about 2 p.m. to 8–9 p.m. After that, people usually say la noche.
Do I need to say nosotros?
No. tenemos already marks the subject. Use nosotros only for emphasis or contrast: Nosotros por fin tenemos una cita.
How would I include a specific hour?

Add the time with a las and then use de la tarde:

  • Por fin tenemos una cita mañana a las cinco de la tarde.
Any pronunciation tips for Spain?
  • cita uses the theta sound: [θi-ta] (like English th in thin).
  • mañana has ñ
  • Stress: por FÍN, teNEmos, CÍta, TARde.
Is al fin the same as por fin? What about por último?
  • por fin = at last, with relief (best here).
  • al fin can overlap but sounds more literary; al fin y al cabo means after all (different meaning).
  • por último = lastly (for lists), not at last in time.