Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say "Quote" in Spanish
Cita · noun · SEE-tah
"Quote" in Spanish changes dramatically by context. A literary or inspirational quotation is a cita or frase célebre. A scheduled meeting or doctor's appointment is also a cita. A price estimate from a contractor or vendor is a cotización or presupuesto.
Cita is pronounced SEE-tah, with stress on the first syllable. Cotización is koh-tee-sah-SYOHN, and frase célebre is FRAH-seh SEH-leh-breh.
Esa cita de García Márquez me inspira cada mañana.
That quote by García Márquez inspires me every morning.
Quote in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for quote, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| cita | quote | SEE-tah | Default, widely understood |
| cotización | quote | business / price estimates | |
| frase célebre | quote | famous saying or quotation | |
| presupuesto | quote | formal written estimate |
How Native Speakers Use Cita
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Literary quotation
Me encanta esa cita del Quijote sobre la libertad.
I love that quote from Don Quixote about freedom.
When referring to a passage from a book, use "cita" or "frase célebre."
Doctor's appointment
Tengo una cita con el dentista a las tres.
I have an appointment with the dentist at three.
"Cita" also means a scheduled appointment — the meaning is clear from context.
Price estimate
El mecánico me envió la cotización por correo.
The mechanic sent me the quote by email.
For business or pricing contexts, "cotización" is the standard term.
Quoting someone directly
Voy a citar sus palabras exactas durante la presentación.
I am going to quote her exact words during the presentation.
The verb form "citar" means to cite or to quote someone's words.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Cita
Wrong word for price estimate
Incorrect: ¿Me puede dar una cita para reparar el coche?
Correct: ¿Me puede dar una cotización para reparar el coche?
Using "cita" in a pricing context sounds like you're scheduling an appointment, not requesting an estimate. Use "cotización" for price quotes.
Confusing quotation marks
Incorrect: Pon la frase entre citas.
Correct: Pon la frase entre comillas.
Quotation marks (the punctuation) are "comillas" in Spanish, not "citas." "Citas" refers to the content being quoted, not the symbols.
Lock in Quote Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Cita used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using cita in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Esa cita de García Márquez me inspira cada mañana. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Quote in Spanish
- What is the difference between "cita" and "frase célebre"?
- "Cita" is a general term for any quotation or reference to someone's words, while "frase célebre" specifically means a famous or well-known saying, often attributed to a historical figure.
- Can "cita" mean both a date and a quote?
- The word "cita" is remarkably versatile: it can mean a romantic date, a professional appointment, or a textual quotation, and Spanish speakers determine the meaning entirely from context.
- How do I say "quote-unquote" in Spanish?
- The common expression is "entre comillas," which literally means "in quotation marks." You can also say "por así decirlo" (so to speak) for a similar rhetorical effect.