What Time Is It In Spanish? Your Ultimate Guide

Oct 29, 2025 by Jhon Lennon 48 views

Hey guys, have you ever found yourself in a situation where you needed to know the time, but the only people around were speaking Spanish? Or maybe you're just trying to brush up on your language skills? Well, you're in the right place! Knowing how to tell time in Spanish is a super useful skill. It's something you'll use constantly when you travel, chat with native speakers, or even just watch your favorite Spanish-language TV shows. This guide will break down everything you need to know, from the basic vocabulary to some helpful phrases. Let's get started, shall we?

Basic Vocabulary: The Building Blocks

Alright, before we dive into full sentences, let's get those essential words down. You know, the building blocks for telling time in Spanish. These are the words you'll be using constantly, so it's a good idea to memorize them. Trust me; it'll make everything else a whole lot easier. Think of it like learning the alphabet before you start reading a book. Here are the core words you'll need:

La hora: This means "the hour" or "the time." It's the most fundamental word, so make sure you nail this one.
Es: This is the verb "to be" (specifically, the form used for singular nouns or for impersonal expressions). You'll use it when saying what time it is, like "It is one o'clock."
Son: Also the verb "to be", but this is the plural form. You'll use this when you're talking about multiple hours, like "It is two o'clock." or when talking about minutes past the hour. For example: "Son las dos y diez" which means "It is two ten".
Y: This means "and." You'll use this when talking about minutes past the hour, like in the examples above.
Menos: This means "minus" or "to." You'll use this when talking about minutes until the hour. For example "Son las dos menos diez" which means "It is ten to two".
Minutos: This word means "minutes."
Media: This word means "half." You can also use it to say "thirty minutes".
Cuarto: This word means "quarter." You can also use it to say "fifteen minutes".
De la mañana: This means "in the morning."
De la tarde: This means "in the afternoon."
De la noche: This means "at night." or "in the evening." Always use "de la noche" when it's nighttime.

See? Not too scary, right? With these words in your vocabulary arsenal, you're well on your way to telling time like a pro. These are the absolute basics, and knowing them will give you a solid foundation.

Telling the Time: Putting It All Together

Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty and actually learn how to tell time in Spanish. This part is a bit more involved, but I promise it's not rocket science. We're going to break it down step by step, so you can easily understand how it all works. The key is to remember the patterns and to practice, practice, practice!

The Hour

First things first: the hour. In Spanish, you'll say "Es la" for one o'clock and "Son las" for all other hours. Notice the difference in the verb "to be" depending on whether you're talking about a singular hour (one) or multiple hours (two, three, etc.). This is super important!

1:00: Es la una.
2:00: Son las dos.
3:00: Son las tres.
4:00: Son las cuatro.
5:00: Son las cinco.
6:00: Son las seis.
7:00: Son las siete.
8:00: Son las ocho.
9:00: Son las nueve.
10:00: Son las diez.
11:00: Son las once.
12:00: Son las doce.

Minutes Past the Hour

To say the minutes past the hour, you simply say the hour, followed by "y" (and), and then the number of minutes. Easy peasy!

2:05: Son las dos y cinco.
3:10: Son las tres y diez.
4:15: Son las cuatro y quince (or cuatro y cuarto).
5:20: Son las cinco y veinte.
6:25: Son las seis y veinticinco.
7:30: Son las siete y treinta (or siete y media).

Minutes Until the Hour

When it comes to the minutes until the hour, you use "menos" (minus or to). You'll state the upcoming hour and then subtract the minutes. The word 'to' is implied, so it's not directly translated. For example, 'It's ten to two' is 'Son las dos menos diez'.

2:40: Son las tres menos veinte.
3:45: Son las cuatro menos quince (or cuatro menos cuarto).
4:50: Son las cinco menos diez.
5:55: Son las seis menos cinco.

Using "De la Mañana, Tarde, and Noche"

To specify whether it's morning, afternoon, or night, add the appropriate phrase at the end of your time statement. This adds a layer of clarity, especially if you're not sure about the exact time of day.

8:00 AM: Son las ocho de la mañana.
2:00 PM: Son las dos de la tarde.
9:00 PM: Son las nueve de la noche.

Useful Phrases and Common Questions

Knowing the vocabulary and how to structure your sentences is great, but let's take it a step further. Here are some useful phrases and questions related to telling time that you'll encounter often. Think of these as conversational shortcuts – they’ll make your interactions smoother and more natural.

Asking the Time

¿Qué hora es? – This is the most common way to ask "What time is it?" It's super versatile and works in almost any situation.
¿Qué hora tiene? – A more formal way of asking "What time is it?" You might use this with someone you don't know well or in a professional setting.
¿Me puede decir la hora, por favor? – This translates to "Can you tell me the time, please?" It's polite and a great option when you're asking a stranger.

Responding to the Time Question

Es la una. – It is one o'clock.
Son las dos y diez. – It is two ten.
Son las tres menos cuarto. – It is a quarter to three.
Son las ocho de la mañana. – It is eight in the morning.

Other Helpful Phrases

A tiempo – On time. Example: "Llegamos a tiempo" (We arrived on time).
Con retraso – Delayed. Example: "El tren va con retraso" (The train is delayed).
A la una en punto – At one o'clock sharp.
¿A qué hora...? – At what time...? (Used to ask about the time of an event). Example: "¿A qué hora empieza la película?" (What time does the movie start?)

Practice Makes Perfect: Time to Level Up Your Skills

Alright, guys, you've got the basics down, you know the vocabulary, and you can string together sentences. But, as with any language skill, the real key to mastering telling time in Spanish is practice. Don't be shy about using what you've learned. The more you practice, the more natural it will become. Let's explore some effective ways to practice and solidify your new skills. This will allow you to confidently and easily navigate any situation where you need to tell or ask for the time in Spanish. Don't worry; it's a lot easier than you think!

Everyday Practice

Look at the clock regularly: Make it a habit to check the time in Spanish throughout the day. Say the time out loud, even if you're alone. This repetition will help you memorize the phrases.
Set reminders: Put reminders on your phone in Spanish. Instead of just seeing the time pop up, make a conscious effort to say it out loud.
Describe your day: At the end of the day, review your activities and describe them in Spanish, including the times. For example, "Me levanté a las siete de la mañana" (I woke up at seven in the morning).

Interactive Exercises

Use online resources: There are tons of websites and apps designed to help you practice telling time in Spanish. Many of them have interactive exercises where you have to match the clock to the correct time or translate time phrases.
Flashcards: Create flashcards with the time in English on one side and the Spanish translation on the other. Test yourself regularly. This is a classic method that never fails.
Practice with a friend: If you know someone who speaks Spanish, practice with them! Ask them to ask you the time, and vice versa. This is a great way to improve your conversational skills.

Immersive Activities

Watch Spanish-language content: Watch Spanish TV shows, movies, or listen to podcasts. Pay attention to how people talk about time in different contexts. This exposure will help you understand natural speech patterns.
Read in Spanish: Read books, articles, or even just the news in Spanish. You'll likely encounter time-related phrases in various contexts, which will reinforce your learning.
Travel to a Spanish-speaking country: If you have the opportunity, traveling to a Spanish-speaking country is the ultimate immersion experience. You'll be forced to use your Spanish skills every day, and you'll learn a ton.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Learning a new skill always comes with its share of challenges and potential pitfalls. Don't worry, even the most experienced language learners make mistakes. The good news is that by being aware of these common errors, you can actively work to avoid them. Knowing what to watch out for will significantly improve your accuracy and fluency, giving you that extra boost of confidence when you're chatting with others. Let's take a look at some common mistakes when telling time in Spanish and how you can overcome them!

Confusing "Es" and "Son"

This is the most common mistake. Remember, "Es" is for one o'clock, and "Son" is for all other hours. It's easy to mix them up, but with practice, you'll get it right every time. Keep in mind that when talking about multiple hours or when talking about minutes past the hour you must use "Son".

Getting the Prepositions Wrong

Pay close attention to the prepositions used with time. While "a las" means "at," you don't use it when stating the time. You say "Son las dos" (It is two o'clock), not "A las dos." Focus on the correct sentence structure.

Forgetting "Y" and "Menos"

Don't forget to use "y" (and) for minutes past the hour and "menos" (to) for minutes until the hour. It's a simple thing, but it's essential for clarity. Practice these until they become second nature.

Not Using "De la Mañana, Tarde, or Noche"

This isn't always essential, but it adds clarity, especially when it's around noon or midnight. It avoids confusion, so include it for extra precision. Remember that "De la noche" is always used for nighttime!

Conclusion: You've Got This!

Well, guys, there you have it! You've successfully navigated the world of telling time in Spanish. You've learned the essential vocabulary, mastered the sentence structure, and practiced some helpful phrases. You're now equipped to confidently ask and tell the time in Spanish. Remember, the key to language learning is consistent practice. Don't be afraid to make mistakes – that's how you learn! Keep practicing, keep using what you've learned, and soon you'll be telling time in Spanish like a native speaker. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)