A Simple Guide on How to Tell Time in Spanish


Mastering how to tell time in Spanish is a fundamental step for any language learner. It might seem tricky at first due to a few key differences from English, but it's a skill you can easily learn with some practice. This guide will walk you through everything from the basic question, "what time is it in Spanish," to the specific phrases and grammar you'll need to know.

The Basics: ¿Qué hora es?

The first phrase you need to know is "¿qué hora es?," which means, "What time is it?" The answer always starts with "Es la..." for 1 o'clock and "Son las..." for any other hour.

  • 1:00 is Es la una.

  • 2:00 is Son las dos.

  • 3:00 is Son las tres.

  • And so on...

This simple rule is due to the number "one" being singular (una), while all other numbers are plural (dos, tres, etc.).

Talking About Minutes: Y vs. Menos

To add minutes, you use y (and) for minutes 1 through 30, and menos (minus) for minutes 31 through 59. This is one of the most important concepts in Spanish time.

From 1 to 30 minutes past the hour:

  • 8:10: Son las ocho y diez.

  • 4:25: Son las cuatro y veinticinco.

There are also a couple of key exceptions:

  • Half past: Use "y media" for half an hour. (e.g., 9:30 is Son las nueve y media.)

  • Quarter past: Use "y cuarto." (e.g., 7:15 is Son las siete y cuarto.)

From 31 to 59 minutes past the hour:

Here, you state the next hour and subtract the remaining minutes.

  • 6:50: Son las siete menos diez. (It's seven minus ten).

  • 11:40: Son las doce menos veinte. (It's twelve minus twenty).

  • Quarter to: Use "menos cuarto." (e.g., 2:45 is Son las tres menos cuarto.)

Other Important Time Phrases

  • En punto means "on the dot" or "sharp." (e.g., Son las cinco en punto. - It's five o'clock sharp.)

  • Time of day: Use de la mañana (in the morning, AM), de la tarde (in the afternoon), and de la noche (at night). (e.g., 10:00 AM is Son las diez de la mañana.) The 24-hour clock in Spanish is also common, especially for official schedules, so it's good to know both.

  • A qué hora means "at what time?" (e.g., ¿A qué hora empieza la película? - What time does the movie start?) The answer uses the preposition a. (A las ocho. - At eight o'clock.)

Common Mistakes and Tips for Beginners

One of the common mistakes telling time in Spanish is confusing the gender. Remember, una is feminine, so you use es la una. All other hours are plural, so you use son las. Another tip is to practice out loud. Using Spanish time exercises and resources like videos can help you get used to the sounds and patterns of the language. With a little effort, you'll be a pro in no time!