Getting an earlier appointment in Spanish

1. 1
   cita/ˈsita/

   appointmentnoun

   A day and time you set aside to see someone, like a doctor.
2. 2
   hueco/ˈweko/

   free slotnoun

   A free stretch of time left between two things already booked.
3. 3
   cancelación/kanselaˈsjon/

   cancellationnoun

   Word for something that was booked no longer happening.
4. 4

   urgenciaurgent case

5. 5

   listalist

6. 6

   prioridadpriority

7. 7

   pacientepatient

8. 8

   adelantarmove up

9. 9

   avisarlet know

10. 10

    confirmarconfirm

The sentences3 of 10

1. ¿Puedo cambiar mi cita para esta misma semana?

   Can I change my appointment to this same week?

2. ¿No tienen un hueco antes del mes que entra?

   Don't you have a slot before next month?

3. Si hay una cancelación, ¿me puede avisar?

   If there's a cancellation, can you let me know?

Pronunciation

• cita/ˈsita/

  The c sounds like an s: SEE-ta.

• hueco/ˈweko/

  The h is silent and ue is one syllable: /ˈwe-ko/.

• cancelación/kanselaˈsjon/

  Both c's sound like s, and the stress falls on the last syllable, where the accent mark is.

Good to know

IMSS y consultorios privados

Many people in Mexico combine the public system, where appointments can take weeks, with private clinics for urgent problems. Asking for a sooner slot is a normal thing to do.

llamar en vez de agendar en línea

Many clinics still run mostly by phone rather than online booking, so calling to change or move up an appointment is still the usual way.

lista de espera

It's common to be put on a waiting list and called if someone cancels, rather than getting a fixed slot right away.

Questions

How do I ask to be told if someone cancels?

You say Si hay una cancelación, ¿me puede avisar?, or ask to be put on the lista de espera.

What does hueco mean here?

It's the free slot left between two appointments that are already booked.