Spanish Phrase
Tengo que confirmar mi cita con el Dr. Smith.
Meaning
I have to confirm my appointment with Dr. Smith. The construction 'tener que + infinitivo' signals a personal obligation, while 'cita' refers specifically to a scheduled meeting, often medical.
When to use
Use this sentence when you need to remind yourself, tell a friend, or inform a colleague that you must call or email to verify a medical appointment with a doctor.
✦Grammar Breakdown
TengoqueconfirmarmicitaconelDr.Smith
Tener que + infinitivo
Expresses obligation or necessity; the verb after 'que' stays in infinitive.
Confirmar (infinitive)
A regular -ar verb meaning 'to confirm' or 'to verify'.
Mi (possessive adjective)
Indicates ownership; agrees in gender and number with the noun.
Cita
A feminine noun meaning 'appointment' or 'date', commonly used for medical or professional meetings.
Con (preposition)
Used to indicate the person or thing with which an action is performed.
El Dr.
Abbreviation for 'el doctor', a respectful title before a physician’s surname.
🗨In Conversation
¿Ya confirmaste tu cita con el Dr. Smith?
Did you already confirm your appointment with Dr. Smith?
No, todavía tengo que confirmar mi cita con el Dr. Smith.
No, I still have to confirm my appointment with Dr. Smith.
✕Common Mistakes
Tengo confirmar mi cita con el Dr. Smith.
The conjunction 'que' is required after 'tener' to link the infinitive.
Tengo que confirmar mi cita con Dr. Smith.
The definite article 'el' is needed before the title 'Dr.' in Spanish.
Tengo que confirmar mi cita con el doctor Smith.
When using the abbreviation 'Dr.', keep the period and treat it as a title; otherwise write 'doctor' in full and keep the article.
↔Alternatives
Debo confirmar mi cita con el Dr. Smith.
I must confirm my appointment with Dr. Smith.
Necesito confirmar mi cita con el Dr. Smith.
I need to confirm my appointment with Dr. Smith.
Voy a confirmar mi cita con el Dr. Smith.
I'm going to confirm my appointment with Dr. Smith.
Tengo que verificar mi cita con el Dr. Smith.
I have to verify my appointment with Dr. Smith.
Cultural Tip
In most Spanish‑speaking countries, it is customary to address physicians as 'el doctor' (or 'el doctor' followed by the surname) and to use the word 'cita' for any scheduled meeting, especially medical ones. Confirming a medical appointment a day in advance is considered polite and helps avoid missed slots.