The ability to express daily routine habits in Spanish marks a significant milestone in your language-learning journey. In today’s blog, we’ll dive into the everyday actions we perform and explore how to express our daily routines in Spanish, highlighting the importance of reflexive verbs in this linguistic domain.
Meaning of daily routines
We all have habitual actions that are repeated day after day. Some of the most common verbs that describe our daily activities, from waking up to going to bed, include: waking up, getting out of bed, showering, having breakfast, combing hair, brushing teeth, leaving home, catching the bus, arriving at university or work, working, studying, having a coffee, attending a (work) meeting, returning home, going to the gym, preparing dinner, and going to bed. These verbs allow us to express our daily routines in Spanish, which is essential for effective communication and deeper language comprehension.
Reflexive verbs in daily routines
It’s important to understand the difference between reflexive and non-reflexive verbs when describing our daily activities. Reflexive verbs end in “se” and indicate that the action is performed on the subject. For example, “me ducho” (“I take a shower”), indicates that the action of showering is performed on myself. This distinction is fundamental for understanding how to express our daily routines accurately and appropriately in Spanish.
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Here below, we want to comment to you how the typical daily schedules in Spain unfold.
Meal, work, and leisure times vary from country to country. This is especially real in Spain, where schedules may surprise those from other nations. In this blog, we’ll delve into why schedules in Spain differ so much and how they impact the daily lives of residents and visitors alike.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Meal times 
Spanish people have a completely different approach to meal times compared to many other countries. Breakfast, typically taken between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM, is earlier than in other places. However, lunch is what often surprises foreigners, as it’s served between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM, with more flexible schedules for mid-morning snacks around 11:00h. Dinners are usually later, starting around 9:00 PM. This difference in meal times can affect daily routines, being an interesting and curious aspect for visitors to Spain.
Work and school schedules 
In Spain, work and school schedules are closely tied to meal times. Offices typically operate from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m., with a long break in the afternoon for lunch. In schools, on the other hand, classes are usually held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a lunch break included. These later schedules may impact residents’ daily routines, but they also provide greater flexibility for personal activities.
Store hours and nightlife 
Stores in Spain often follow a divided schedule, with a longer break during midday for the famous “siesta.” In terms of leisure time, nightlife in Spain is known to start much later than in other countries. Bars and restaurants are usually bustling between 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM, while nightclubs may start coming to life from 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning and remain open until 6:00 or 6:30 AM. This nightlife culture is unique and can be exciting and challenging for visitors accustomed to more conventional schedules.
Summer and winter time 
In addition to daily schedules, residents and visitors to Spain must consider the difference between summer and winter time. During summer months, the sun sets later, which can influence meal times and leisure schedules. This means that dinners and nightlife may start even later during the summer, providing a unique experience for those visiting the country during this season.
If you’re curious about the peculiar schedules we have in Spain, we recommend checking out this article, which we found really interesting.
We hope this blog helped you to understand the importance of learning to express our daily routines in Spanish, as well as the use of reflexive and non-reflexive verbs to do so accurately. These language skills not only enrich our knowledge of Spanish but also bring us closer to the culture and allow us to communicate more effectively in our daily lives.
Additionally, you were able to see that schedules in Spain are unique and often differ from those in other countries. These schedules have an impact on the daily lives of residents and visitors, resulting in a unique and appealing culture. For those visiting Spain, understanding and adapting to these schedules can enrich their cultural experience and provide them with a fascinating insight into Spanish life.
