Time-related prepositions and expressions

When expressing time in Spanish, using the right preposition can make the difference between sounding natural and making common mistakes. This guide will help you master the essential time-related prepositions and expressions in Spanish.

Core Time Prepositions

  • A (at)
    • You use “a” to specify exact times:
      • a las tres (at three o’clock)
      • al mediodía (at noon)
      • a la medianoche (at midnight)
  • En (in)
    • “En” is used for months, years, seasons, and general periods:
      • en enero (in January)
      • en 2024 (in 2024)
      • en primavera (in spring)
      • en ese momento (at that moment)
  • Durante (during)
    • This preposition indicates duration:
      • durante la semana (during the week)
      • durante el verano (during summer)
      • durante la clase (during class)
  • Hasta (until)
    • Use “hasta” to express a time limit:
      • hasta las cinco (until five)
      • hasta mañana (until tomorrow)
      • hasta el lunes (until Monday)
  • Desde (since/from)
    • “Desde” marks the starting point of an action or period:
      • desde ayer (since yesterday)
      • desde las ocho (since eight o’clock)
      • desde 2020 (since 2020)

Common Time Expressions

  • Frequency Expressions
    • con frecuencia (frequently)
    • a menudo (often)
    • de vez en cuando (from time to time)
    • raramente (rarely)
    • todos los días (every day)
  • Specific Time Expressions
    • a tiempo (on time)
    • a la hora (at the right time)
    • en punto (on the dot/sharp)
    • tarde (late)
    • temprano (early)
  • Duration Expressions
    • por dos horas (for two hours)
    • durante todo el día (all day long)
    • para siempre (forever)
    • hace mucho tiempo (a long time ago)

Time-Related Combinations

  • Por vs. Para
    • While both can relate to time, they serve different purposes:
      • por la mañana (in the morning) – general time of day
      • para mañana (for tomorrow) – deadline or intended time
  • Desde … Hasta
    • Combine these prepositions to express ranges:
      • desde las 9 hasta las 5 (from 9 to 5)
      • desde enero hasta marzo (from January to March)

Cultural Notes

  • In Spanish-speaking countries, time expressions can vary slightly by region. For example, while “en la mañana” and “por la mañana” are both correct, different regions may prefer one over the other.
  • The 24-hour clock is commonly used in formal situations and schedules.

Conclusion

Mastering time prepositions is essential for effective Spanish communication. By understanding these key prepositions and expressions, you can accurately express time-related concepts, from scheduling appointments to describing daily routines. This will significantly enhance your fluency and confidence in the Spanish language.

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