Would you like to know the key spanish phrases you would use to ask sometime the time? Read on and watch the video to learn this important spanish language skill.
Learning to tell time in a new language can feel intimidating, but remember: it’s just another form of rhythm. Take your time with these patterns, and don’t worry about being perfect – just focus on communicating
1. Asking the Time
- ¿Qué hora es? — What time is it?
2. Telling the Time (The Verb Ser)
- Use Es la… for one o’clock.
- Use Son las… for 2 through 12.
3. Adding Minutes & Halves
- y (and) — Son las ocho y diez (8:10)
- cuarto (quarter / 15) — Son las siete y cuarto (7:15)
- media (half / 30) — Son las cinco y media (5:30)
4. Times of Day
- en punto — O’clock / Exactly
- de la mañana — In the morning (AM)
- de la tarde — In the afternoon (PM)
- de la noche — In the evening / night (after 6 PM)
- mediodía — Noon
- medianoche — Midnight
5. Minutes to the Next Hour (Menos / Para)
- menos (minus) — Son las cuatro menos doce (3:48)
- para (to) — Son 22 para las 8 (7:38)
I’ve included this video by The Language Tutor because he does a great job of explaining the ‘minus = menos’ concept visually—watch the video to see exactly how we use ‘menos’ to talk about time nearing the next hour
Grab your PRINTABLE and watch the video above to hear the pronunciation in action, and you’ll have telling time down in no time!
¡Hasta Luego!
Karen Lara, Spanish Language Teacher