What's next?

[tony]

I am trying to differentiate between two translations for the word next: siguiente and proximo(a). 1. Proxima semana, proximo Marte
2. siguiete dia - numero, etc.

What are the appropriate uses of these two versions of next

[Rusty]

These adjectives can sometimes be used interchangeably. At other times, especially when using both in the same conversation, they have slightly different meanings.

I recommend some Internet searching, with varied wording, to see if you can find what is more popular.


la semana próxima
el próximo martes

Think of próximo as near.

el día siguiente
el número siguiente

Think of siguiente as following (tie to the verb seguir).
What's next? = ¿Qué sigue?

Not the next street, but the one after that.
= No la calle próxima, sino la siguiente.

[María José]

You can also say el martes que viene, la semana que viene

[Tomisimo]

You can also think of it like this:

"próximo" means next as in what is next (or nearest) to where you are currently at.

"siguiente" means next as in what comes next in relation to what you have already referred to, but not necessarily where you are physically at in time or space.

"la próxima semana", "el próximo martes" -- these are both reference in relation to the week we are currently in.

"la siguiente semana", "el siguiente martes" -- are referenced to the time/date you had previously mentioned. So if you were talking about the fair that is the second week in August, then you say "la siguiente semana, vamos a ir de vacaciones" you're talking about the 3rd week in August.