Spanish Phrase
¿En qué mes estamos ahora?
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to ask for the current month in Spanish. It literally translates to 'In what month are we now?' using the verb 'estar' to indicate the collective state of being within a specific point in time.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are unsure of the current date or when starting a conversation about seasonal plans. It is appropriate for both casual and formal contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Enquémesestamosahora?
En qué
The preposition 'en' is used before 'qué' to signify 'in what' or 'in which'.
Estamos
This is the 'nosotros' form of 'estar', used here to describe our current location within the yearly calendar.
🗨In Conversation
¿En qué mes estamos ahora?
What month are we in now?
Estamos en mayo, las flores están saliendo.
We are in May, the flowers are coming out.
✕Common Mistakes
¿Qué mes es ahora?
While 'ser' is used for time of day, 'estar' is preferred for the current month or date in common speech.
¿En qué mes somos?
Avoid using the first-person plural of 'ser' for months; 'estamos' is the correct verb form for this context.
↔Alternatives
¿A qué mes estamos?
What month are we at?
¿Qué mes es?
What month is it?
Cultural Tip
In Spanish, months are not capitalized unless they appear at the very beginning of a sentence. Additionally, when answering this question, speakers always use 'Estamos en...' followed by the month name.