The 12 Months of the Year in Spanish
Just like in English, the Spanish calendar consists of twelve months. However, there are some key differences in spelling and pronunciation. Below is a list of the months of the year in Spanish:
- Enero – January
- Febrero – February
- Marzo – March
- Abril – April
- Mayo – May
- Junio – June
- Julio – July
- Agosto – August
- Septiembre – September
- Octubre – October
- Noviembre – November
- Diciembre – December
Key Points to Remember
- Lowercase letters: In Spanish, months are not capitalized unless they begin a sentence. For example: Mi cumpleaños es en mayo (My birthday is in May).
- Similarities and differences: Many months look similar to their English counterparts, making them easier to remember. However, pay close attention to spelling and pronunciation.
How to Pronounce the Months in Spanish
Spanish pronunciation is generally straightforward, but here is a simple guide to help you say each month correctly:
- Enero – eh-NEH-ro
- Febrero – feh-BREH-ro
- Marzo – MAR-tho (Spain) or MAR-so (Latin America)
- Abril – ah-BREEL
- Mayo – MAH-yo
- Junio – HOO-nee-o
- Julio – HOO-lee-o
- Agosto – ah-GOS-to
- Septiembre – sep-tee-EM-bre
- Octubre – ok-TOO-bre
- Noviembre – no-bee-EM-bre
- Diciembre – dee-see-EM-bre
Using Months in Spanish Sentences
To use the months of the year in Spanish sentences, remember to pair them with prepositions and expressions of time. Here are some useful examples:
- El curso empieza en septiembre. (The course starts in September.)
- Voy de vacaciones en agosto. (I go on vacation in August.)
- La Navidad es en diciembre. (Christmas is in December.)
Prepositions to Use with Months
Unlike English, where we use “in” (in January), Spanish uses “en” before the month:
- en enero – in January
- en marzo – in March
Tips for Memorizing the Months
- Practice aloud: Repeating the months out loud will help with pronunciation and memory.
- Make associations: Link the Spanish month with events or holidays you know. For example, diciembre for Christmas.
- Use flashcards: Create flashcards with the Spanish name on one side and the English equivalent on the other.
- Practice with Talkpal: Use interactive tools like Talkpal’s AI chat to test your knowledge and use the months in real conversations.
Common Questions About Months in Spanish
Do Spanish months have genders?
Months in Spanish are masculine. When using them with articles, use “el”: el mes de febrero (the month of February).
Are months ever abbreviated?
Yes, just like in English, Spanish months can be abbreviated, especially in calendars. For example: ene., feb., mar.
Conclusion
Mastering the months of the year in Spanish is a simple yet important milestone for language learners. By familiarizing yourself with their spelling, pronunciation, and usage in context, you will feel more confident discussing dates and planning activities in Spanish. Don’t forget to practice regularly and make use of resources like the Talkpal AI language learning blog to reinforce your skills and accelerate your progress.
