Telling Time in Spanish: A quick and easy guide.

One of the most useful and practical aspects of learning a new language is being able to tell the time. In Spanish, the process is straightforward and logical. Let’s break it down.

Asking for the Time

First, let’s learn how to ask for the time. The most common ways to ask what time it is are:

1. “¿Qué hora es?” – What time is it?
2. “¿Tienes la hora?” – Do you have the time?

Telling the Time

In Spanish, the verb “ser” in its forms “es” (it is) and “son” (they are) is used to tell time.

• For 1 o’clock, use “es la una.” (It’s one o’clock.)
• For all other times, use “son las” followed by the number.
  For example, “son las dos.” (It’s two o’clock.)

Minutes Past the Hour

For times past the hour up to half-past, use “y” (and) and the number of minutes. For example:

• “Es la una y cinco.” (It’s five past one.)
• “Son las tres y quince.” (It’s fifteen past three or It’s three fifteen.)

For thirty minutes past the hour, use “y media”:

• “Son las dos y media.” (It’s two thirty.)

Minutes to the Hour

For times less than half an hour to the next hour, use “menos” (minus):

• “Son las tres menos veinte.” (It’s twenty to three.)

Indicating AM or PM

Spanish uses a 24-hour clock, so times after midday are simply stated as thirteen to twenty-four hours. However, when wanting to specify AM or PM in a 12-hour format, use “de la mañana” (in the morning), “de la tarde” (in the afternoon), or “de la noche” (in the evening/night):

• “Son las siete de la mañana.” (It’s seven in the morning.)
• “Son las ocho de la tarde.” (It’s eight in the evening.)

Other Useful Phrases

1. “Mediodía” – Noon
2. “Medianoche” – Midnight
3. “A la una” – At one o’clock
4. “A las dos” – At two o’clock
5. “Cuarto” – Quarter (used as “y cuarto” for a quarter past the hour and “menos cuarto” for a quarter to the hour)

Being able to tell time in Spanish is a vital skill, especially when traveling, making appointments, or simply asking for the time. Practice these phrases, and before long, you’ll be telling the time like a native Spanish speaker.

Check out our series of Complete Spanish Grammar articles – everything you’ll ever need to know about Spanish grammar.

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