Meaning
Used to ask about the current day of the week.
Cultural Background
In Spain, the week starts on Monday. If you ask this on a Sunday, people might already be thinking about the 'vuelta al trabajo' (return to work). Mexicans often use 'ombligo de semana' (week's belly button) to refer to Wednesday. If you ask '¿Qué día es hoy?' on a Wednesday, they might reply with this phrase. In Argentina, 'el finde' (the weekend) is sacred. Asking '¿Qué día es hoy?' on a Friday often leads to plans for an 'asado' (barbecue). Colombia has many 'puentes' (holiday Mondays). Asking '¿Qué día es hoy?' during a long weekend is common as people lose track of time during festivities.
The 'H' is Silent
Never pronounce the 'h' in 'hoy'. It should sound exactly like 'oy'.
Día is Masculine
Even though it ends in 'a', it's 'el día'. This is a very common beginner mistake.
Meaning
Used to ask about the current day of the week.
The 'H' is Silent
Never pronounce the 'h' in 'hoy'. It should sound exactly like 'oy'.
Día is Masculine
Even though it ends in 'a', it's 'el día'. This is a very common beginner mistake.
Use for Disorientation
If you want to sound more native when you're confused, add 'Ya ni sé...' before the phrase: 'Ya ni sé qué día es hoy'.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct way to ask what day it is.
_______ día es hoy?
In Spanish, we use 'Qué' to ask for the identity of a noun like 'día'.
Complete the sentence with the correct verb.
¿Qué día _____ hoy?
We use the verb 'ser' (es) for days of the week.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Qué día es hoy? B: Hoy _______.
The answer follows the 'Hoy es [día]' pattern.
Match the question to the correct context.
1. ¿Qué día es hoy? 2. ¿Cuál es la fecha?
'Qué día' asks for the name, 'fecha' asks for the number/date.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Days of the Week in Spanish
Laborables
- • lunes
- • martes
- • miércoles
- • jueves
- • viernes
Fin de semana
- • sábado
- • domingo
Practice Bank
4 exercises_______ día es hoy?
In Spanish, we use 'Qué' to ask for the identity of a noun like 'día'.
¿Qué día _____ hoy?
We use the verb 'ser' (es) for days of the week.
A: ¿Qué día es hoy? B: Hoy _______.
The answer follows the 'Hoy es [día]' pattern.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
'Qué día' asks for the name, 'fecha' asks for the number/date.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but you might just get the day of the week. For the date, '¿Cuál es la fecha?' is clearer.
Because the day of the week is considered a permanent identity of that specific time period, which requires 'ser'.
Yes, it is neutral. To be extra polite, add 'disculpe' at the beginning.
Simply say 'Hoy es...' followed by the day, e.g., 'Hoy es miércoles'.
No, in Spanish, days of the week are usually written in lowercase (lunes, martes...).
Use the past tense: '¿Qué día fue ayer?'.
Yes, it is the most universal form, though Spain loves '¿A qué estamos?'.
Yes, if the context of 'today' is already clear.
There isn't really a plural for this specific question, as 'today' is only one day.
Usually, but '¿Hoy qué día es?' is also common for emphasis.
Related Phrases
¿Cuál es la fecha?
similarWhat is the date?
¿A qué estamos?
synonymWhat [day/date] are we at?
Pasado mañana
builds onThe day after tomorrow
Anteayer
builds onThe day before yesterday
