How to Tell Time in Spanish
Telling time in Spanish uses a simple structure. The hour is feminine, so you say la una and las dos, because the word hora is understood. Then you add minutes with y (and) or menos (minus).
Quick answer
- For one o’clock, use es la una: Es la una. (It is one o’clock.)
- For every other hour, use son las: Son las tres. (It is three o’clock.)
- To say at a time, use a la(s): La clase es a las ocho. (The class is at eight.)
Asking and answering: es la una, son las dos
To ask the time, say ¿Qué hora es?. The answer uses es for one o’clock and son for all other hours. Add en punto for “exactly.”
Examples
- ¿Qué hora es?What time is it?The standard question.
- Es la una.It is one o’clock.Singular: es la.
- Son las cuatro en punto.It is exactly four o’clock.Plural: son las.
- Son las doce.It is twelve o’clock.Plural.
Minutes: y, media, cuarto, and menos
After the hour, add minutes with y. Use y cuarto for fifteen minutes and y media for thirty. To count backwards to the next hour, use menos. In Latin America, you will also hear cuarto para las tres and diez para las tres for “a quarter to three” and “ten to three.”
| Time | Spanish |
|---|---|
| 3:00 | Son las tres. |
| 3:15 | Son las tres y cuarto. |
| 3:30 | Son las tres y media. |
| 3:45 | Son las cuatro menos cuarto. |
| 3:10 | Son las tres y diez. |
| 3:50 | Son las cuatro menos diez. |
| 1:20 | Es la una y veinte. |
Examples
- Son las ocho y cuarto de la mañana.It is a quarter past eight in the morning.Y cuarto.
- Son las siete y media.It is half past seven.Y media.
- Son las seis menos veinte.It is twenty to six.Menos for minutes to the hour.
- Es la una y media.It is half past one.Still singular for one o’clock.
Morning, afternoon, and night
Spanish uses de la mañana (in the morning), de la tarde (in the afternoon or evening), and de la noche (at night) after the time. Noon is mediodía and midnight is medianoche. Use de, not en, when a specific time is given.
Examples
- Son las nueve de la mañana.It is nine in the morning.Time plus de la mañana.
- Son las cinco de la tarde.It is five in the afternoon.De la tarde.
- Son las diez de la noche.It is ten at night.De la noche.
- Comemos al mediodía.We eat at noon.Mediodía.
At what time? Use a la(s)
To say when something happens, ask ¿A qué hora…? and answer with a la (one o’clock) or a las (all other hours).
Examples
- ¿A qué hora es la clase?What time is the class?Ask about an event.
- La clase es a las ocho.The class is at eight.A las plus the hour.
- Salimos a la una y media.We leave at one thirty.A la for one o’clock.
- Mi vuelo sale a las seis de la tarde.My flight leaves at six in the afternoon.A las plus de la tarde.
Spanish around the world
- In Spain and in Latin America the system is the same. Latin America often says cuarto para las tres where Spain says las tres menos cuarto. Both are understood everywhere.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Son la una.
Correct: Es la una.
One o’clock is singular: es la una.
Incorrect: Es las tres.
Correct: Son las tres.
Hours from two to twelve are plural: son las.
Incorrect: La clase es en las ocho.
Correct: La clase es a las ocho.
Use a las for “at” a time.
Incorrect: Son las nueve en la mañana.
Correct: Son las nueve de la mañana.
With a time, say de la mañana, not en la mañana.
Remember the pattern
- Use es la una for one o’clock, and son las for every other hour.
- Add minutes with y or take them away with menos. Cuarto is 15 and media is 30.
- To say “at” a time, use a la or a las.
Mini practice
5 quick questions. You get feedback right after each answer.
Frequently asked questions
How do I say 12:30?
Say Son las doce y media.. The number twelve is plural, so use son las.
How do I say what time it is exactly?
Add en punto after the hour: Son las cuatro en punto.
Do people use the 24-hour clock?
Yes, for schedules at airports, trains, and in formal writing. In conversation people almost always use the 12-hour system with de la mañana, de la tarde, and de la noche.
How do I ask someone for the time politely?
Say ¿Me puede decir la hora, por favor? to someone you address as usted.
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