Learning a new language can feel scary, but it’s also exciting!
One of the first things you’ll need to know is how to tell time in Spanish.
If you’re planning a trip, talking with friends, or trying to keep up in class, knowing how to say the time helps you sound more fluent and feel more confident.
You’ll be able to ask someone what time it is or tell them when to meet — all in Spanish! In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about telling time in Spanish using real-life situations, simple phrases, and fun examples.
⏰ Let’s make learning Spanish time phrases easy and fun!
Why Learning Time Expressions in Spanish Is Important
Telling time is one of the most practical skills when learning any language. It helps with everyday conversations, scheduling, and understanding announcements or directions.
Asking for the Time in Spanish
When you want to know the time, the most common way to ask is:
¿Qué hora es? (What time is it?)
This phrase works in almost every situation — whether you’re talking to a friend or a stranger. It’s polite and easy to remember.
Use this in real life:
You’re in a Spanish-speaking country and don’t have your phone. Just ask someone kindly:
“Disculpe, ¿qué hora es?” (Excuse me, what time is it?)
What NOT to say:
Don’t just say “Hora?” — it’s unclear and might come off as rude. Full sentences help show respect.
Telling Time Spanish Phrases
When someone asks you the time, here’s how to answer:
Es la una. (It ‘s 1 o’clock.)
Son las tres. (It ‘s 3 o’clock.)
Use “Es la…” only for 1 o’clock, and “Son las…” for every other hour.
Use case:
You’re meeting a friend and they ask:
“¿Qué hora es?”
You reply: “Son las cinco.” (It’s 5 o’clock.)
What to avoid:
Don’t forget to use the right form. Saying “Es las tres” is a mix-up that native speakers will notice.
How to Say the Time in Spanish
To say time with minutes, use the hour plus “y [minutes]”:
Son las dos y diez. (It ‘s 2:10.)
Es la una y cuarto. (It ‘s 1:15.)
Son las seis y media. (It ‘s 6:30.)
If it’s close to the next hour, use “menos”:
Son las nueve menos cuarto. (It ‘s 8:45.)
Use case:
A bus arrives at 7:45. You can say:
“Llega a las ocho menos cuarto.”
Avoid saying “Son las ocho y cuarenta y cinco” — it’s technically correct but not how most people say it.
Spanish Time Expressions
Spanish uses cool time expressions to sound more natural:
A tiempo – On time
Llegar tarde – To arrive late
Temprano – Early
Example:
“Siempre llego a tiempo.” (I always arrive on time.)
“Llegamos tarde a clase.” (We arrived late to class.)
These phrases help you sound like a native and show how time affects your actions. Use them when making plans, in school, or while traveling.
What Time Is It in Spanish
This is another way to talk about asking the time. When someone says “What time is it in Spanish?”, they mean:
¿Qué hora es?
You can also ask “¿A qué hora…?” to know when something happens.
Use case:
“¿A qué hora empieza la película?”
Translation: What time does the movie start?
Answer:
“Empieza a las siete y media.” (It starts at 7:30.)
Don’t say “Cuando empieza?” if you want the exact time — it’s less specific.
Spanish Clock Vocabulary 🕰️
Understanding clock-related words makes everything easier:
Hora – Hour
Minuto – Minute
Reloj – Clock or watch
Manecillas – Hands of the clock
Punto – On the dot (e.g., “en punto”)
Example:
“Son las dos en punto.” (It ‘s 2 o’clock on the dot.)
Use this in real life:
In school or at work, say:
“La reunión es a las nueve en punto.”
Translation: The meeting is at 9 on the dot.
How to Ask for Time in Spanish
If you’re asking someone when something happens, use:
¿A qué hora…?
¿Cuándo es…? (When is…?)
Use case:
You’re planning a birthday party:
“¿A qué hora es la fiesta?”
Answer: “Es a las seis de la tarde.”
Avoid saying just “¿La fiesta?” — it’s too vague. Being clear shows good manners and helps avoid confusion.
Telling the Exact Time in Spanish
To be more precise, you can say:
Son las cinco y veintisiete. (It ‘s 5:27.)
Es la una y cincuenta y nueve. (It ‘s 1:59.)
When the minutes are not rounded (like 10 or 15), just say the full number after “y.”
Use this in real life:
You’re catching a train at 2:27. Say:
“El tren sale a las dos y veintisiete.”
Avoid rounding to 2:30 unless it’s okay to be general.
Spanish Time Words and Phrases
Here are useful words and phrases about time:
Ahora – Now
Más tarde – Later
Pronto – Soon
Todo el día – All day
Cada hora – Every hour
Use case:
“Vamos a salir más tarde.” (We’ll leave later.)
“Estoy ocupado todo el día.” (I’m busy all day.)
These make you sound more fluent and help with everyday plans.
Basic Structure to Tell Time in Spanish
Spanish usually follows this format:
Es la una (It’s one o’clock)
or
Son las [number] (It’s [number] o’clock)
For example:
- 1:00 — Es la una
- 3:00 — Son las tres
How to Say the Minutes After the Hour
To say minutes past the hour, just add:
y + minutes
Example:
- 2:15 — Son las dos y quince (o veinte)
- 4:10 — Son las cuatro y diez
How to Say Minutes Before the Hour (Using “menos”)
For minutes before the next hour, use menos (minus):
Example:
- 5:45 — Son las seis menos cuarto (It’s six minus a quarter, or 5:45)
- 7:50 — Son las ocho menos diez (It’s eight minus ten, or 7:50)
Using “Cuarto” and “Media” for Quarter and Half
- Cuarto means quarter (15 minutes)
- Media means half (30 minutes)
Examples:
- 3:15 — Son las tres y cuarto
- 6:30 — Son las seis y media
Talking About AM and PM
To specify morning or evening, you can add:
- de la mañana (in the morning)
- de la tarde (in the afternoon)
- de la noche (at night)
Example:
- 8:00 AM — Son las ocho de la mañana
- 9:00 PM — Son las nueve de la noche
Practice Examples to Try Saying the Time
- 11:20 — Son las once y veinte
- 1:45 — Es la dos menos cuarto
- 12:30 — Son las doce y media
Tips to Remember When Saying Time in Spanish
- Use Es la only for 1 o’clock (singular)
- Use Son las for all other hours (plural)
- Practice listening to native speakers to get the rhythm
- Remember to use “menos” for times after the half hour
Final Thoughts: ⏳
Now you know how to tell time in Spanish!
🎉 From asking the time politely to saying it with confidence, you’ve learned key phrases, vocabulary, and real-life situations.
Time expressions in Spanish are not just about numbers — they help you connect with people, make plans, and stay on schedule. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon be telling time like a pro.
The more you use it, the easier it becomes. Don’t be afraid to speak up and say ¿Qué hora es? or answer with Son las tres y cuarto.
Time to shine with your Spanish skills!
