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Spanish Phrase

¿Contratamos a un DJ?

/kon.tɾaˈta.mos a un ˈde.xe/
Meaning"Shall we hire a DJ?"
💡

Meaning

A polite, inclusive question that asks whether the group should hire a DJ for an upcoming event. It can also be heard as a confirmation (“Are we hiring a DJ?”) depending on intonation.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase when you’re planning a party, wedding, corporate event, or any gathering where music is needed and you want to involve the whole group in the decision.

✦Grammar Breakdown

¿ContratamosaunDJ?

1

Contratamos

First‑person plural present indicative of *contratar* (to hire). It can mean “we hire” or, in a question, “shall we hire?”

2

Personal a

The preposition *a* is used before a specific person or personified entity (the DJ) to mark the direct object.

3

Indefinite article *un*

Masculine singular indefinite article; *DJ* is treated as a masculine noun in Spanish.

4

Interrogative punctuation

Spanish questions are enclosed by opening (¿) and closing (?) marks.

🗨In Conversation

A

¿Contratamos a un DJ?

Shall we hire a DJ?

Sí, creo que la pista de baile será mucho mejor con música profesional.

Yes, I think the dance floor will be much better with professional music.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • ¿Nos contratamos a un DJ?

    The reflexive *nos* changes the meaning to “we hire ourselves,” which is not intended.

  • ¿Contratar un DJ?

    Missing the personal *a* makes the sentence sound less natural when the DJ is a specific person.

  • ¿Contratamos a un DJa?

    The noun *DJ* stays masculine; adding a feminine ending is incorrect unless you explicitly say *una DJ* for a female DJ.

↔Alternatives

  • ¿Deberíamos contratar a un DJ?

    Should we hire a DJ?

  • ¿Le contratamos a un DJ?

    Do we hire a DJ? (using the indirect object pronoun for politeness)

  • ¿Vamos a contratar a un DJ?

    Are we going to hire a DJ?

es

Cultural Tip

In many Spanish‑speaking countries hiring a DJ is the go‑to solution for weddings, quinceañeras, and large parties. The term *DJ* (pronounced “de‑je”) is masculine, but you may hear *una DJ* if the person is a woman. Remember to use the personal *a* before the DJ because they are a specific professional, not an abstract concept.