New
New
Birthdays: questions with 'cuándo'
I can say when my birthday is and ask others about their birthday.
Lesson 2 of 4
New
New
- Year 5
Birthdays: questions with 'cuándo'
I can say when my birthday is and ask others about their birthday.
Lesson details
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- The definite article 'el' can be used to mean 'on the' with birthdays. It is not used for today's date.
- To ask someone's birthday, we use the question ¿Cuándo es tu cumpleaños?
- To say when your birthday is, use ‘mi cumpleaños es el…’.
- We combine the numbers 1-31 and the months of the year to talk about birthdays.
- Practising vocabulary regularly helps reinforce learning and improves communication.
Keywords
El - masculine definite article 'the', also meaning on the when used with specific dates
Cuándo - question word meaning 'when'
Common misconception
To say what the date is, you always use the definite article 'the' as in English.
In Spanish, the definite article is used with specific dates, like birthdays. Unlike in English, 'the' is not used for today's date.
A classroom display could be created showing the birthdays of pupils. They could write their birthdays on balloon templates or something similar (e.g. cupcakes, stars, or candles) to create a fun and engaging visual.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the Spanish to the English.
Match the Spanish to the English.
Q2.Order these months from earliest in the year to latest.
Order these months from earliest in the year to latest.
Q3.Which words have a feminine gender?
Which words have a feminine gender?
cumpleaños
mes
hambre
Q4.Match the Spanish to the English.
Match the Spanish to the English.
Q5.Fill in the missing word to day my birthday is 8th May. 'Mi es el ocho de mayo.'
Fill in the missing word to day my birthday is 8th May. 'Mi es el ocho de mayo.'
Q6.'Today is the 26th of July.' Translate this sentence into Spanish.
'Today is the 26th of July.' Translate this sentence into Spanish.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which date means 'the 31st of October'?
Which date means 'the 31st of October'?
el trece de octubre
el treinta y uno de agosto
el treinta de octubre
el tres de octubre
Q2.Order these numbers from biggest to smallest.
Order these numbers from biggest to smallest.
Q3.Match the Spanish to the English.
Match the Spanish to the English.
Q4.Order the words to say 'the month of March is always annoying'.
Order the words to say 'the month of March is always annoying'.
Q5.'Soy muy activo en agosto.' Translate this sentence into English.
'Soy muy activo en agosto.' Translate this sentence into English.
Q6.'When is her birthday?' Translate this sentence into Spanish.
'When is her birthday?' Translate this sentence into Spanish.
