Spanish Phrase
Estamos en enero.
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to state the current month in Spanish. Unlike English, which uses 'It is January', Spanish often uses the first-person plural of the verb 'estar' to indicate a collective sense of time. This construction makes the speaker and listener feel part of the current timeframe.
When to use
Use this phrase in casual or formal conversation to confirm the current month. It is particularly useful when discussing schedules, seasonal changes, or upcoming events.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Estamosenenero
Estar (Estamos)
The verb 'estar' is used for temporary states and locations, including our current 'location' in time.
Prepositions with months
The preposition 'en' is always used when stating the month or year you are currently in.
Capitalization
Unlike English, months of the year in Spanish are not capitalized unless they are the first word of a sentence.
🗨In Conversation
¿Sabes qué mes es?
Do you know what month it is?
Estamos en enero, ¡el año acaba de empezar!
We are in January, the year just started!
✕Common Mistakes
Es enero.
While grammatically possible, 'Estamos en' is much more natural for expressing the current date or month in Spanish.
Estamos en el enero.
In Spanish, you do not use the definite article 'el' before the name of a month when stating what month it is.
↔Alternatives
Es el mes de enero.
It is the month of January.
Ya es enero.
It's already January.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, January is synonymous with 'La Cuesta de Enero', referring to the economic 'uphill' battle many face after holiday spending. Additionally, January 6th marks 'El Día de Reyes', a major celebration often involving more gift-giving than Christmas itself.