{"id":2601,"date":"2018-04-25T10:00:27","date_gmt":"2018-04-25T18:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/?p=2601"},"modified":"2022-08-30T06:04:38","modified_gmt":"2022-08-30T14:04:38","slug":"tell-time-spanish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/tell-time-spanish\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Tell Time in Spanish: The Ultimate Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a1Hola!<\/em> <\/strong>Telling the time is an important skill, so we\u2019ve given you a complete guide on how to do it in Spanish, split into handy sections. Sit back, relax, and let\u2019s learn how to tell time in Spanish<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

\"Time<\/span><\/p>\n

How to tell time in Spanish: Numbers 1 – 59<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s get started with the basics. <\/p>\n

First up: numbers! You\u2019ll need to know the numbers 1 to 59 to tell the time, but once you\u2019ve mastered a few, you\u2019ll be fine with them all. 0 to 15 are probably the most difficult to learn, because they\u2019re all quite different.<\/p>\n

N.B. where we\u2019ve given pronunciations<\/a>, the apostrophe at the beginning of a syllable denotes that the stress falls on that syllable, e.g. in \u2019oo-no, the first syllable is emphasized.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
0<\/td>cero<\/td>\u2019theh-roh*<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1<\/td>uno\/una<\/td>\u2019oo-noh\/\u2019oo-nah<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/td>dos<\/td>dohs<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/td>tres<\/td>trehs<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4<\/td>cuatro<\/td>\u2019kwah-troh<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5<\/td>cinco<\/td>\u2019theen-koh<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6<\/td>seis<\/td>\u2019seh-ees<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7<\/td>siete<\/td>see-\u2019eh-teh<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8<\/td>ocho<\/td>\u2019oh-choh<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9<\/td>nueve<\/td>noo-\u2019eh-beh<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10<\/td>diez<\/td>dee-\u2019eth<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11<\/td>once<\/td>\u2019ohn-theh<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12<\/td>doce<\/td>\u2019doh-theh<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13<\/td>trece<\/td>\u2019treh-theh<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
14<\/td>catorce<\/td>kah-\u2019tohr-theh<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15<\/td>quince<\/td>\u2019keen-theh<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

*in this article, we\u2019ve used the \u201cth\u201d sound that you\u2019d find in words like \u201cthink\u201d or \u201cthanks,\u201d but in many parts of the Spanish-speaking world, including most of Latin America, the \u201cth\u201d sound will be replaced with a \u201cs\u201d sound as in \u201cseaside.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

From 16 onward, things start to look a bit more logical. All you need to remember is that \u201cy\u201d (pronounced ee<\/em>) means \u201cand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Example: 17 => 10 + 7 => ten and seven => diez y siete => diecisiete<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
16<\/td>diecis\u00e9is<\/td>dee-eth-ee-\u2019seh-ees<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
17<\/td>diecisiete<\/td>dee-eth-ee-see-\u2019eh-teh<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
18<\/td>dieciocho<\/td>dee-eth-ee-\u2019oh-choh<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
19<\/td>diecinueve<\/td>dee-eth-ee-noo-\u2019eh-beh<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

<\/p>\n

Then we get to 20, or \u201cveinte.\u201d Instead of pronouncing \u201cveinte-ee<\/strong>-uno,\u201d we mush it all together, making the word flow better: \u201cveintiuno.\u201d<\/p>\n

Example: 27 => 20 + 7 => twenty and seven => veinte y siete => veintisiete<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
20<\/td>veinte<\/td>\u2019beh-een-teh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
21<\/td>veintiuno<\/td>beh-een-tee-\u2019oo-noh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
22<\/td>veintid\u00f3s<\/td>beh-een-tee-\u2019dohs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
23<\/td>veintitr\u00e9s<\/td>beh-een-tee-\u2019trehs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
24<\/td>veinticuatro<\/td>beh-een-tee-\u2019kwah-troh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
25<\/td>veinticinco<\/td>beh-een-tee-\u2019theen-koh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
26<\/td>veintis\u00e9is<\/td>beh-een-tee-\u2019seh-ees<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
27<\/td>veintisiete<\/td>beh-een-tee-see-\u2019eh-teh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
28<\/td>veintiocho<\/td>beh-een-tee-\u2019oh-choh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
29<\/td>veintinueve<\/td>beh-een-tee-noo-\u2019eh-beh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

At this point, we stop mushing things together. It\u2019s simply \u2018tens\u2019 y <\/strong>\u2018units.\u2019 You\u2019ve probably got to grips with the pattern by now, but here they all are laid out just in case:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
30<\/Strong><\/td>treinta<\/Strong><\/td>\u2019treh-een-tah<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
31<\/td>treinta y uno<\/td>\u2019treh-een-ta ee \u2019oo-noh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
32<\/td>treinta y dos<\/td>\u2019treh-een-ta ee dohs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
33<\/td>treinta y tres<\/td>\u2019treh-een-ta ee trehs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
34<\/td>treinta y cuatro<\/td>\u2019treh-een-ta ee \u2019kwah-troh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
35<\/td>treinta y cinco<\/td>\u2019treh-een-ta ee \u2019theen-koh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
36<\/td>treinta y seis<\/td>\u2019treh-een-ta ee \u2019seh-ees<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
37<\/td>treinta y siete<\/td>\u2019treh-een-ta ee see-\u2019eh-teh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
38<\/td>treinta y ocho<\/td>\u2019treh-een-ta ee \u2019oh-choh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
39<\/td>treinta y nueve<\/td>\u2019treh-een-ta ee noo-\u2019eh-beh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
40<\/Strong><\/td>cuarenta<\/Strong><\/td>kwah-\u2019rehn-tah<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
41<\/td>cuarenta y uno<\/td>kwah-\u2019rehn-tah ee \u2019oo-noh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
42<\/td>cuarenta y dos<\/td>kwah-\u2019rehn-tah ee dohs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
43<\/td>cuarenta y tres<\/td>kwah-\u2019rehn-tah ee trehs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
44<\/td>cuarenta y cuatro<\/td>kwah-\u2019rehn-tah ee \u2019kwah-troh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
45<\/td>cuarenta y cinco<\/td>kwah-\u2019rehn-tah ee \u2019theen-koh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46<\/td>cuarenta y seis<\/td>kwah-\u2019rehn-tah ee \u2019seh-ees<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
47<\/td>cuarenta y siete<\/td>kwah-\u2019rehn-tah ee see-\u2019eh-teh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
48<\/td>cuarenta y ocho<\/td>kwah-\u2019rehn-tah ee \u2019oh-choh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
49<\/td>cuarenta y nueve<\/td>kwah-\u2019rehn-tah ee noo-\u2019eh-beh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
50<\/Strong><\/td>cincuenta<\/Strong><\/td>theen-\u2019kwehn-tah<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
51<\/td>cincuenta y uno<\/td>theen-\u2019kwehn-tah ee \u2019oo-noh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
52<\/td>cincuenta y dos<\/td>theen-\u2019kwehn-tah ee dohs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
53<\/td>cincuenta y tres<\/td>theen-\u2019kwehn-tah ee trehs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
54<\/td>cincuenta y cuatro<\/td>theen-\u2019kwehn-tah ee \u2019kwah-troh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
55<\/td>cincuenta y cinco<\/td>theen-\u2019kwehn-tah ee \u2019theen-koh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
56<\/td>cincuenta y seis<\/td>theen-\u2019kwehn-tah ee \u2019seh-ees<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
57<\/td>cincuenta y siete<\/td>theen-\u2019kwehn-tah ee see-\u2019eh-teh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
58<\/td>cincuenta y ocho<\/td>theen-\u2019kwehn-tah ee \u2019oh-choh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
59<\/td>cincuenta y nueve<\/td>theen-\u2019kwehn-tah ee noo-\u2019eh-beh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(\u2026and for luck) 60<\/Strong><\/td>sesenta<\/Strong><\/td>seh-\u2019sehn-tah<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

<\/p>\n

How to Ask for the Time in Spanish<\/h2>\n

Next, we want to know enough vocabulary to ask for the time!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
The time\/the hour<\/td>\nLa hora (lah \u2019oh-rah)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Minute<\/td>\nEl minuto (ehl mee-\u2019noo-toh)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Have you got the time?<\/td>\n\u00bfTiene(s) hora? (tee-\u2019eh-neh(s) \u2019oh-rah)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What time is it?<\/td>\n\u00bfQu\u00e9 hora es?* (keh \u2019oh-rah ehs)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What time do you make it?<\/td>\n\u00bfQu\u00e9 hora tiene(s)? (keh \u2019oh-rah tee-\u2019eh-neh(s))<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
To tell the time<\/td>\nDecir la hora (deh-\u2019theer lah \u2019oh-rah)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
To ask for the time<\/td>\nPreguntar la hora (preh-goon-\u2019tahr lah \u2019oh-rah)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n

*You might also hear \u201c\u00bfqu\u00e9 horas son?\u201d in some parts of Latin America, but overall it\u2019s less commonly used than \u201c\u00bfqu\u00e9 hora es?\u201d.<\/p>\n

To respond to this question, we use the verb \u201cser\u201d <\/em>(\u201cto be\u201d). Instead of x o\u2019clock, Spanish speakers count hours.<\/p>\n

Example: Son las 8 <\/em>=> it is 8 (hours) => it is 8 o\u2019clock.<\/p>\n

Usually, you\u2019ll need to use \u201cson las…\u201d (sohn lahs<\/em>)  to mean \u201cit is\u201d but occasionally you use \u201ces la\u201d (ehs lah<\/em>). This is because \u201cson las\u201d is used for plural times, i.e. anything bigger than 1 o\u2019clock. \u201cEs la\u201d is singular, so it\u2019s used for 1 o\u2019clock (and x minutes past 1).<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

How to Say o\u2019clock in Spanish<\/strong><\/h2>\n

So, let\u2019s have a look at the following times:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
It\u2019s 1 o\u2019clock.<\/td>Es la una.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s 3 o\u2019clock.<\/td>Son las tres.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s 6 o\u2019clock.<\/td>Son las seis.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s 11 o\u2019clock.<\/td>Son las once.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Bonus tip<\/h4>\n

Usually, when we say \u201cit\u2019s 12 o\u2019clock,\u201d we know whether it\u2019s the middle of the day or the middle of the night by, like, seeing if it\u2019s dark outside. But sometimes we prefer to make it extra clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t
It\u2019s midday.<\/td>Es mediod\u00eda.<\/td>ehs meh-dee-oh-\u2019dee-ah<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s midnight.<\/td>Es medianoche.<\/td>ehs meh-dee-ah-\u2019noh-cheh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

“Half past” in Spanish<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When it\u2019s half past the hour, we use \u201cy media,\u201d (ee \u2019meh-dee-ah<\/em>) which means \u201cand half.\u201d See if these examples make sense:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
It\u2019s 1:30.<\/td>Es la una y media.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s 5:30.<\/td>Son las cinco y media.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s 7:30.<\/td>Son las siete y media.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s 12:30.<\/td>Son las doce y media.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

“Quarter past” in Spanish<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To say that it\u2019s quarter past the hour, we add \u201cy cuarto\u201d (ee \u2019kwahr-toh<\/em>), which means \u201cand quarter.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t

\nIt\u2019s 1:15.
\n<\/td>
\nEs la una y cuarto.
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\nIt\u2019s 4:15.
\n<\/td>
\nSon las cuatro y cuarto.
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\nIt\u2019s 8:15.
\n<\/td>
\nSon las ocho y cuarto.
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\nIt\u2019s 10:15.
\n<\/td>
\nSon las diez y cuarto.
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Makes sense, right?!<\/p>\n

“Quarter to” in Spanish<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Like in English, we can still use the word for \u201cquarter,\u201d but this time we say \u201cmenos cuarto\u201d (\u2019meh-nohs \u2019kwahr-toh<\/em>) meaning \u201cminus quarter.\u201d So, we\u2019re taking a quarter away from the hour that we\u2019re approaching. For instance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
It\u2019s 12:45 (quarter to one).<\/td>Es la una menos cuarto.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s 1:45 (quarter to two).<\/td>Son las dos menos cuarto.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s 8:45 (quarter to nine).<\/td>Son las nueve menos cuarto.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s 9:45 (quarter to ten).<\/td>Son las diez menos cuarto.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

<\/p>\n

Some countries will use these versions instead to mean the same thing:<\/p>\n

\u201cFalta un cuarto para las x.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cEs cuarto para las x.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

“Minutes past” in Spanish<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For highly specific numbers (i.e. not quarters or halves), we have a pretty simple rule! We just say the \u201co\u2019clock\u201d bit and then say \u201cy\u201d (\u201cand\u201d) and add the number of minutes past the hour! This will become clearer once we\u2019ve seen some examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
It\u2019s 1:23.<\/td>Es la una y veintitr\u00e9s.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s 1:47.<\/td>Es la una y cuarenta y siete.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s 4:05.<\/td>Son las cuatro y cinco.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s 4:59.<\/td>Son las cuatro y cincuenta y nueve.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s 6:11.<\/td>Son las seis y once.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

“Minutes to” in Spanish<\/strong><\/h2>\n

And for minutes to<\/strong> the hour, you guessed it, we use \u201cmenos\u201d (\u2019meh-nohs<\/em>). Simple, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
It\u2019s 12:55 (five minutes to one).<\/td>Es la una menos cinco.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s 8:52 (8 minutes to 9).<\/td>Son las nueve menos ocho. #arithmetic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\nIt\u2019s 2:35 (25 minutes to 3).
\n<\/td>
\nSon las tres menos veinticinco.
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s 11:40 (20 minutes to 12).<\/td>Son las doce menos veinte.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

A few extras<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve got all that, and want to know some extra vocab on how to tell time in Spanish (that will make you sound super native<\/a>), take a look at these:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
The morning<\/td>La ma\u00f1ana<\/td>la mah-\u2019nyah-nah<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s 8 in the morning\/8am.<\/td>Son las ocho de la ma\u00f1ana.<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The afternoon<\/td>La tarde<\/td>lah \u2019tahr-deh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s 2 in the afternoon\/2pm.<\/td>Son las dos de la tarde.<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The evening\/night<\/td>La noche<\/td>lah \u2019noh-cheh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s 11 at night\/11pm.<\/td>Son las once de la noche.<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The early hours of the morning<\/td>La madrugada<\/td>lah mah-droo-\u2019gah-dah<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Go to sleep! It\u2019s 2am!<\/td>\u00a1Du\u00e9rmete! \u00a1Son las dos de la madrugada!<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
... and a bit.<\/td>\u2026 y poco*<\/td>ee \u2019poh-koh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s a few minutes past 7.<\/td>Son las siete y poco.<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Around<\/td>Alrededor de
\nm\u00e1s o menos<\/td>		ahl-reh-deh-\u2019dohr deh
\nmahs oh \u2019meh-nohs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s around 5.<\/td>Son alrededor de las cinco.
\nSon las cinco m\u00e1s o menos.<\/td>		<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On the dot.<\/td>En punto.<\/td>ehn \u2019poon-toh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It\u2019s 6 on the dot.<\/td>Son las seis en punto.<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
At \u2026<\/td>A \u2026<\/td>ah<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
We cook at 2.<\/td>Cocinamos a las dos.<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The party starts at 1.<\/td>La fiesta empieza a la una.<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

* You might also hear \u201cy pico,\u201d<\/em> which is understood as \u201ca few minutes past\u201d in some places, but in other countries, it could refer to anything up to around 50 minutes past the hour.<\/p>\n

12-hour vs 24-hour clock<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Depending on where you\u2019re from, you may be more used to the 12-hour clock than the 24-hour clock<\/a> (military time). In Spanish-speaking destinations, you could encounter both. Like in English, spoken Spanish tends to use the 12-hour clock, even if the time is sometimes written in the 24-hour format. <\/p>\n

For example, if you were reading out theater times, the page in front of you might say \u201c15:00,\u201d but you\u2019d say to your friend on the phone, \u201cit starts at 3.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mini-test<\/strong><\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

It\u2019s time<\/strong> (see what I did there?) for a mini-test!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Use the guide we\u2019ve given you and see if you can figure out what the following phrases mean.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Es la una.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    <\/span><\/p>\n

    Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

    It\u2019s 1:00.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Es mediod\u00eda.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      <\/span><\/p>\n

      Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

      It\u2019s midday.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Son las tres y media.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        <\/span><\/p>\n

        Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

        It\u2019s 3:30.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Son las cuatro y cuarto.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          <\/span><\/p>\n

          Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

          It\u2019s 4:15.<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Son las siete menos cuarto.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            <\/span><\/p>\n

            Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

            It\u2019s 6:45.<\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Son las ocho y diez.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              <\/span><\/p>\n

              Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

              It\u2019s 8:10.<\/p>\n

                \n
              1. Son las nueve menos cinco.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                <\/span><\/p>\n

                Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

                It\u2019s 8:55.<\/p>\n

                  \n
                1. Son las once en punto.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  <\/span><\/p>\n

                  Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

                  It\u2019s exactly 11 on the dot.<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  1. Son las once de la ma\u00f1ana.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    <\/span><\/p>\n

                    Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

                    It\u2019s 11 am.<\/p>\n

                    <\/p>\n

                    Keep practicing …<\/strong><\/h2>\n

                    <\/p>\n

                    Whether you\u2019ve struggled with telling time in Spanish or found it pretty easy, practicing Spanish daily will help you get to grips with telling the time.<\/p>\n

                    Numbers are used often in everyday life, so the more you speak, the more opportunity you\u2019ll get to practice them! If you know any native Spanish-speakers, try and practice what you\u2019ve learnt with them.<\/p>\n

                    \u00a1Buena suerte!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                    \u00a1Hola! Telling the time is an important skill, so we\u2019ve given you a complete guide on how to do it in Spanish, split into handy sections. Sit back, relax, and let\u2019s learn how to tell time in Spanish! How to tell time in Spanish: Numbers 1 – 59 Let\u2019s get started with the basics.  First up: […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":2705,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","tve_updated_post":"

                    \u00a1Hola!<\/em> <\/strong>Telling the time is an important skill, so we\u2019ve given you a complete guide on how to do it in Spanish, split into handy sections. Sit back, relax, and let\u2019s learn how to tell time in Spanish<\/strong>!<\/p><\/div>

                    \"Time<\/span><\/div>
                    \n
                    \nQuick Navigation<\/span>\n
                    How to tell time in Spanish: Numbers 1 - 59<\/a><\/div>
                    How to Ask for the Time in Spanish<\/a><\/div>
                    How to Say o\u2019clock in Spanish<\/a><\/div>
                    \"Half past\" in Spanish<\/a><\/div>
                    \"Quarter past\" in Spanish<\/a><\/div>
                    \"Quarter to\" in Spanish<\/a><\/div><\/div>
                    \"Minutes past\" in Spanish<\/a><\/div>
                    \"Minutes to\" in Spanish<\/a><\/div>
                    A few extras<\/a><\/div>
                    12-hour vs 24-hour clock<\/a><\/div>
                    Mini-test<\/a><\/div>
                    Keep practicing ...<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

                    How to tell time in Spanish: Num<\/s>bers 1 - 59<\/h2><\/div>

                    Let\u2019s get started with the basics. <\/p>First up: numbers! You\u2019ll need to know the numbers 1 to 59 to tell the time, but once you\u2019ve mastered a few, you\u2019ll be fine with them all. 0 to 15 are probably the most difficult to learn, because they\u2019re all quite different.


                    <\/p>N.B. where we\u2019ve given                     pronunciations<\/a>, the apostrophe at the beginning of a syllable denotes that the stress falls on that syllable, e.g. in \u2019oo-no, the first syllable is emphasized.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/div>

                    ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=78 \/]<\/p>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

                    *in this article, we\u2019ve used the \u201cth\u201d sound that you\u2019d find in words like \u201cthink\u201d or \u201cthanks,\u201d but in many parts of the Spanish-speaking world, including most of Latin America, the \u201cth\u201d sound will be replaced with a \u201cs\u201d sound as in \u201cseaside.\u201d<\/p>

                    From 16 onward, things start to look a bit more logical. All you need to remember is that \u201cy\u201d (pronounced ee<\/em>) means \u201cand.\u201d<\/p>

                    Example: 17 => 10 + 7 => ten and seven => diez y siete => diecisiete<\/p>\n

                    <\/p><\/div>

                    ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=79 \/]<\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

                    Then we get to 20, or \u201cveinte.\u201d Instead of pronouncing \u201cveinte-ee<\/strong>-uno,\u201d we mush it all together, making the word flow better: \u201cveintiuno.\u201d<\/p>

                    Example: 27 => 20 + 7 => twenty and seven => veinte y siete => veintisiete<\/p><\/div>

                    ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=80 \/]<\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

                    At this point, we stop mushing things together. It\u2019s simply \u2018tens\u2019 y <\/strong>\u2018units.\u2019 You\u2019ve probably got to grips with the pattern by now, but here they all are laid out just in case:<\/p><\/div>

                    ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=81 \/]<\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

                    How to Ask for the Time in Spanish<\/h2>

                    Next, we want to know enough vocabulary to ask for the time!<\/p><\/div>

                    <\/colgroup>

                    The time\/the hour<\/p><\/td>

                    La hora (lah \u2019oh-rah)<\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

                    Minute<\/p><\/td>

                    El minuto (ehl mee-\u2019noo-toh)<\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

                    Have you got the time?<\/p><\/td>

                    \u00bfTiene(s) hora? (tee-\u2019eh-neh(s) \u2019oh-rah)<\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

                    What time is it?<\/p><\/td>

                    \u00bfQu\u00e9 hora es?* (keh \u2019oh-rah ehs)<\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

                    What time do you make it?<\/p><\/td>

                    \u00bfQu\u00e9 hora tiene(s)? (keh \u2019oh-rah tee-\u2019eh-neh(s))<\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

                    To tell the time<\/p><\/td>

                    Decir la hora (deh-\u2019theer lah \u2019oh-rah)<\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

                    To ask for the time<\/p><\/td>

                    Preguntar la hora (preh-goon-\u2019tahr lah \u2019oh-rah)<\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/div>

                    *You might also hear \u201c\u00bfqu\u00e9 horas son?\u201d in some parts of Latin America, but overall it\u2019s less commonly used than \u201c\u00bfqu\u00e9 hora es?\u201d.<\/p>

                    To respond to this question, we use the verb \u201cser\u201d <\/em>(\u201cto be\u201d). Instead of x o\u2019clock, Spanish speakers count hours.<\/p>

                    Example: Son las 8 <\/em>=> it is 8 (hours) => it is 8 o\u2019clock.<\/p>

                    Usually, you\u2019ll need to use \u201cson las...\u201d (sohn lahs<\/em>)  to mean \u201cit is\u201d but occasionally you use \u201ces la\u201d (ehs lah<\/em>). This is because \u201cson las\u201d is used for plural times, i.e. anything bigger than 1 o\u2019clock. \u201cEs la\u201d is singular, so it\u2019s used for 1 o\u2019clock (and x minutes past 1).<\/p><\/div>

                    __CONFIG_leads_shortcode__{\"id\":\"2254\"}__CONFIG_leads_shortcode__<\/div><\/div>

                    How to Say o\u2019clock in Spanish<\/strong><\/h2>

                    So, let\u2019s have a look at the following times:<\/p><\/div>

                    ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=82 \/]<\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

                    Bonus tip<\/h4><\/div>

                    Usually, when we say \u201cit\u2019s 12 o\u2019clock,\u201d we know whether it\u2019s the middle of the day or the middle of the night by, like, seeing if it\u2019s dark outside. But sometimes we prefer to make it extra clear:<\/p><\/div>

                    ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=83 \/]<\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

                    \"Half past\" in Spanish<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

                    When it\u2019s half past the hour, we use \u201cy media,\u201d (ee \u2019meh-dee-ah<\/em>) which means \u201cand half.\u201d See if these examples make sense:<\/p><\/div>

                    ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=84 \/]<\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

                    \"Quarter past\" in Spanish<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

                    To say that it\u2019s quarter past the hour, we add \u201cy cuarto\u201d (ee \u2019kwahr-toh<\/em>), which means \u201cand quarter.\u201d <\/p><\/div>

                    ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=85 \/]<\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

                    Makes sense, right?!<\/p><\/div>

                    \"Quarter to\" in Spanish<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

                    Like in English, we can still use the word for \u201cquarter,\u201d but this time we say \u201cmenos cuarto\u201d (\u2019meh-nohs \u2019kwahr-toh<\/em>) meaning \u201cminus quarter.\u201d So, we\u2019re taking a quarter away from the hour that we\u2019re approaching. For instance:<\/p><\/div>

                    ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=86 \/]<\/p>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

                    Some countries will use these versions instead to mean the same thing:<\/p>

                    \u201cFalta un cuarto para las x.\u201d<\/em><\/p>

                    \u201cEs cuarto para las x.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/div>

                    \"Minutes past\" in Spanish<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

                    For highly specific numbers (i.e. not quarters or halves), we have a pretty simple rule! We just say the \u201co\u2019clock\u201d bit and then say \u201cy\u201d (\u201cand\u201d) and add the number of minutes past the hour! This will become clearer once we\u2019ve seen some examples.<\/p><\/div>

                    ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=87 \/]<\/p>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

                    \"Minutes to\" in Spanish<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

                    And for minutes to<\/strong> the hour, you guessed it, we use \u201cmenos\u201d (\u2019meh-nohs<\/em>). Simple, right?<\/p><\/div>

                    ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=88 \/]<\/p>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

                    A few extras<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

                    If you\u2019ve got all that, and want to know some extra vocab on how to tell time in Spanish (that will make you sound super native<\/a>), take a look at these:<\/p><\/div>

                    ___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=89 \/]<\/p>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

                    * You might also hear \u201cy pico,\u201d<\/em> which is understood as \u201ca few minutes past\u201d in some places, but in other countries, it could refer to anything up to around 50 minutes past the hour.<\/p><\/div>

                    12-hour vs 24-hour clock<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

                    Depending on where you\u2019re from, you may be more used to the 12-hour clock than the 24-hour clock<\/a> (military time). In Spanish-speaking destinations, you could encounter both. Like in English, spoken Spanish tends to use the 12-hour clock, even if the time is sometimes written in the 24-hour format. <\/p>

                    For example, if you were reading out theater times, the page in front of you might say \u201c15:00,\u201d but you\u2019d say to your friend on the phone, \u201cit starts at 3.\u201d<\/p><\/div>

                    Mini-test<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

                    It\u2019s time<\/strong> (see what I did there?) for a mini-test!<\/p><\/div>

                    Use the guide we\u2019ve given you and see if you can figure out what the following phrases mean.<\/p><\/div>

                    1. Es la una.<\/li><\/ol><\/div>
                      \n
                      \n
                      \n
                      <\/span>\n

                      Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

                      It\u2019s 1:00.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

                      1. Es mediod\u00eda.<\/li><\/ol><\/div>
                        \n
                        \n
                        \n
                        <\/span>\n

                        Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

                        It\u2019s midday.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

                        1. Son las tres y media.<\/li><\/ol><\/div>
                          \n
                          \n
                          \n
                          <\/span>\n

                          Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

                          It\u2019s 3:30.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

                          1. Son las cuatro y cuarto.<\/li><\/ol><\/div>
                            \n
                            \n
                            \n
                            <\/span>\n

                            Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

                            It\u2019s 4:15.\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

                            1. Son las siete menos cuarto.<\/li><\/ol><\/div>
                              \n
                              \n
                              \n
                              <\/span>\n

                              Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

                              It\u2019s 6:45.\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

                              1. Son las ocho y diez.<\/li><\/ol><\/div>
                                \n
                                \n
                                \n
                                <\/span>\n

                                Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

                                It\u2019s 8:10.\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

                                1. Son las nueve menos cinco.<\/li><\/ol><\/div>
                                  \n
                                  \n
                                  \n
                                  <\/span>\n

                                  Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

                                  It\u2019s 8:55.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

                                  1. Son las once en punto.<\/li><\/ol><\/div>
                                    \n
                                    \n
                                    \n
                                    <\/span>\n

                                    Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

                                    It\u2019s exactly 11 on the dot.\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

                                    1. Son las once de la ma\u00f1ana.<\/li><\/ol><\/div>
                                      \n
                                      \n
                                      \n
                                      <\/span>\n

                                      Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

                                      It\u2019s 11 am.\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

                                      Keep practicing ...<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

                                      Whether you\u2019ve struggled with telling time in Spanish or found it pretty easy, practicing Spanish daily will help you get to grips with telling the time. <\/p>

                                      Numbers are used often in everyday life, so the more you speak, the more opportunity you\u2019ll get to practice them! If you know any native Spanish-speakers, try and practice what you\u2019ve learnt with them.<\/p>

                                      \u00a1Buena suerte!<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/div>","tve_custom_css":"@media (min-width: 300px){[data-css=\"tve-u-161e131bbf8\"] + div { clear: none; }[data-css=\"tve-u-161e131bbf8\"] { float: none; width: 1200px; }:not(#tve) [data-css=\"tve-u-16179d8155d\"] { text-transform: none !important; }[data-css=\"tve-u-16d4d76a969\"] > .tve_faq:hover { background-color: var(--tcb-color-0) !important; }[data-css=\"tve-u-16d4d76c9d3\"] > .tve_faq:hover { background-color: var(--tcb-color-0) !important; }[data-css=\"tve-u-16d4d770fe0\"] > .tve_faq:hover { background-color: var(--tcb-color-0) !important; }[data-css=\"tve-u-16d4d774896\"] > .tve_faq:hover { background-color: var(--tcb-color-0) !important; }[data-css=\"tve-u-16d4d778af0\"] > .tve_faq:hover { background-color: var(--tcb-color-0) !important; }[data-css=\"tve-u-16d4d782639\"] > .tve_faq:hover { background-color: var(--tcb-color-0) !important; }[data-css=\"tve-u-16d4d785ece\"] > .tve_faq:hover { background-color: var(--tcb-color-0) !important; }[data-css=\"tve-u-16d4d797018\"] > .tve_faq:hover { background-color: var(--tcb-color-0) !important; }[data-css=\"tve-u-16d4d79bebd\"] > .tve_faq:hover { background-color: var(--tcb-color-0) !important; }[data-css=\"tve-u-16d4d7ab8a6\"] { background-color: var(--tcb-color-0); }}","tve_user_custom_css":"","tve_globals":{"e":"1","font_cls":[]},"tcb2_ready":1,"tcb_editor_enabled":1,"tve_landing_page":"","_tve_header":"0","_tve_footer":"0"},"categories":[4,5],"tags":[17,54],"class_list":["post-2601","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spanish-vocabulary-and-expressions","category-spanish-grammar","tag-how-to","tag-how-to-guide","post-wrapper","thrv_wrapper"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2601","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2601"}],"version-history":[{"count":79,"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2601\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15606,"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2601\/revisions\/15606"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2705"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2601"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2601"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2601"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}