Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Week in Spanish
Semana · noun · seh-MAH-nah
The Spanish word for week is 'semana,' a fundamental time vocabulary word. It appears in common phrases like 'esta semana' (this week), 'la semana pasada' (last week), and 'la próxima semana' (next week).
Pronounce 'semana' as seh-MAH-nah, with the stress on the second syllable. All three syllables have clear, open vowels.
Esta semana tengo muchas reuniones.
This week I have many meetings.
How Native Speakers Use Semana
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Planning ahead
La próxima semana viajo a Barcelona.
Next week I'm traveling to Barcelona.
Discussing upcoming plans.
Looking back
La semana pasada llovió todos los días.
Last week it rained every day.
Recalling recent weather.
Frequency
Voy al gimnasio tres veces por semana.
I go to the gym three times a week.
Describing a routine.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Semana
Confusing 'semana' with 'semanal'
Incorrect: Tenemos una semana reunión.
Correct: Tenemos una reunión semanal.
'Semana' is the noun (week), while 'semanal' is the adjective (weekly). They are related but serve different grammatical roles.
Using 'en' instead of 'por' for frequency
Incorrect: Tres veces en semana.
Correct: Tres veces por semana.
When expressing 'per week,' Spanish uses 'por semana,' not 'en semana.'
Lock in week 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 Semana used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using semana in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Esta semana tengo muchas reuniones. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About week in Spanish
- What are the days of the week in Spanish?
- The days are lunes (Monday), martes (Tuesday), miércoles (Wednesday), jueves (Thursday), viernes (Friday), sábado (Saturday), and domingo (Sunday) — none are capitalized in Spanish.
- Does the week start on Monday in Spanish-speaking countries?
- In most Spanish-speaking countries, the week officially starts on Monday (lunes), unlike in the United States where Sunday is traditionally considered the first day.
- What does 'Semana Santa' mean?
- The phrase 'Semana Santa' means Holy Week, the religious observance before Easter — it is one of the most important cultural celebrations across Spain and Latin America.