I don't understand "Estamos a martes. (It is Tuesday.)"

Question

In the grammar section of basic prepositions, I don't understand why, or how, this can simply say "It is Tuesday." The Spanish was "Estamos a martes." Is it not sufficient to say "Es martes"? Looking for enlightenment. Thanks!

Answer 1

It is sufficient to say "es martes", but "estamos a martes" or "estamos a día martes" is usually an answer given to the question "¿A cuánto estamos hoy?

Both the question and answers are idiomatic and literally mean "What day are we on today?" -- We're on Tuesday (as awkward as it may sound in English).

That makes perfect sense. Idioms separate the men and boys! I couldn't get past the "estamos" being "we are". Thanks! - rheit, Sep 7, 2012

Answer 2

Actually, the question wording is "¿A cómo estamos?" at least in Mexico.

So from here, the natural response is "Estamos a ......." Of course, you can always answer "Hoy es ..." or "Hoy es el día ...." or "Hoy estamos a ....." but "es ....." sounds a little unatural although it is understandable.

Saying just the name of the day would also be understood although unatural as well, but you should keep in mind that the Spanish culture is not one of making the shortest possible sentences like the English culture has become.

"¿A cómo.......?" is also used in other situations, ie: "¿Cómo son las verduras?" (what are the greens/veggies like - fresh, old, etc?") ....... "¿A cómo son las verduras?" (How much do the greens/veggies cost).

Es martes is awkward in Mexico, but that's the only way it's taught in high school books. Do you, FrancoBollo, agree with this assessment? Is it regional? I'm textbook taught (both hs and college), and I've had to figure everything else out on my own. - rheit, Sep 7, 2012

Actually, "Hoy es martes", "Es el martes", for "It is on Tuesday". Textbook sentences. This website is the most helpful resource I have ever found. I teach beginning level Spanish with no acquaintances that speak Spanish, no one that could help me. - rheit, Sep 7, 2012

And! I threw out my textbook five years ago! A couple years ago someone told me that I had been teaching with the worst textbook ever written for Spanish. - rheit, Sep 7, 2012

See my separate posting, Rheit. Too long for here! - francobollo, Sep 7, 2012

Answer 3

To Julian and Rheit,

¿A cómo estamos? may also be used in Mexico as Julian says, but it's not something my ears are used to hearing nor would i ever use that expression or even my example of ¿A cuánto estamos?.

I normally say: ¿Qué día es hoy? / ¿Qué fecha es hoy? (if I want to know the date). The gist of your question, Rheit, is to be prepared to field these questions when they come your way and your curiosity will make you succeed at it.

Answer 4

I hear "Estamos a martes" often (following the question "What day is it?")

As for remembering the phrase I think of--What day are we on? We're on Friday (although nobody would say it like this).