How to tell time in Spanish
Qué hora es? What time is it?
Sometimes, we use es la or es and the time of day. Es la or es is singular.
Es la una. = It is 1:00.
Es mediodía. = It is noon.
Es medianoche. = It is midnight.
Most of the time, we use son las and the time of day. Son las is plural.
Son las dos. = It is 2:00.
Son las tres. = It is 3:00.
…and so on.
To tell the number of minutes past the hour, use y followed by the number of minutes.
Es la una y cinco. = It is 1:05.
Son las dos y diez. = It is 2:10.
In order to say 15 minutes past the hour, or “a quarter hour,” we say cuarto.
Por ejemplo: Son las seis y cuarto. = It is 6:15.
In order to say 30 minutes past the hour, or “half hour,” we say media.
Por ejemplo: Son las siete y media. = It is 7:30.
If the time is between 31 and 59 minutes past the hour, follow these steps:
- Go up to the next hour (for example, if it is 6:44, the next hour is…?)
- Figure out the number of minutes until the next hour. (for example, if it is 6:44, there are 16 minutes until 7)
- Use “menos” instead of “y” to indicate that your are subtracting minutes. (ej., Son las siete menos dieciséis.)
Un ejemplo: 9:32
1.The next hour after 9:32 is ____. En español, we start with ___________.
2. How many minutes are there until the next hour? _________
3. Put it together! Remember to say “menos” for minus. __________________________
Check your answers:
Un ejemplo: 9:32
1.The next hour after 9:32 is _10___. En español, we start with ____Son las_______.
2. How many minutes are there until the next hour? ___28______
3. Put it together! Remember to say “menos” for minus. _______Son las 10 menos 28.______
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