Spanish Phrase
Llegué el 1 de enero.
Meaning
This phrase indicates the specific date of arrival in the past using the preterite tense. It combines the first-person singular form of the verb 'llegar' with the standard Spanish date format. The construction is straightforward and essential for discussing travel history or timelines.
When to use
Use this when providing a specific arrival date during conversations about travel, immigration, or appointments. It is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts when clarifying exactly when you reached a destination.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Lleguéel1deenero
Llegué
The first-person singular preterite of 'llegar'. The 'u' is added after the 'g' to keep the hard 'g' sound before the 'e'.
El + Número
Spanish uses the masculine definite article 'el' before the number to indicate a specific day.
De + Mes
The preposition 'de' connects the day to the month, which is always written in lowercase.
🗨In Conversation
¿Cuándo viniste a la ciudad?
When did you come to the city?
Llegué el 1 de enero.
I arrived on January 1st.
✕Common Mistakes
Llegué en el 1 de enero.
In Spanish, you use the definite article 'el' directly before the number for dates, without the preposition 'en'.
Llegué el enero 1.
Dates must follow the Day + de + Month format, unlike the English Month + Day structure.
↔Alternatives
Arribé el primero de enero.
I arrived on the first of January.
Vine el 1 de enero.
I came on January 1st.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish-speaking countries, it is very common to say 'el primero' instead of 'el uno' for the first day of the month. Additionally, remember that months are never capitalized in Spanish unless they are the first word of a sentence.