cierta hora
/θjeɾta oɾa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "a certain time" is translated into Spanish as cierta hora.
In a complete sentence, it is common to express this by adding the indefinite article to form una cierta hora.
Which one should you use?
While cierta hora refers specifically to a point on the clock, the phrase cierto momento is used for a more general or indefinite point in time.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective cierta must agree in gender with the feminine noun hora.
How do you pronounce it?
/θjeɾta oɾa/
Did you know?
- If you are waiting for someone at una cierta hora, you might sound slightly suspicious or mysterious, as if the time is part of a clandestine plan.
- The word cierta can also mean 'sure' or 'certain' in the sense of 'true', so cierta hora could be misread as 'a true hour' in certain archaic poetic contexts.
- The word hora comes from the Latin 'hōra', which was borrowed from the Ancient Greek 'hṓrā'.
Examples in context
- Son las ochoIt is eight o'clock.
- Es la unaIt is one o'clock.
- Son las nueve y mediaIt is half-past nine.
- Son las diez menos cuartoIt is a quarter to ten.
- Es la hora de cenarIt's time to eat dinner.
- Es tardísimo, ya son las dos de la madrugadaIt's very late, it's already two in the morning.
- Es tempranito, apenas son las cinco de la mañanaIt's very early, it's only five in the morning.
- Son las nueve y cuartoIt is a quarter past nine.
- ¿Qué hora es?What time is it?
- Son las seis de la tardeIt is six in the afternoon.
- ¡Genial! Ya es la hora de encontrarnosGreat! It's time for us to meet.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are discussing a secret meeting.
- DanielNos vemos mañana a cierta hora.We'll see each other tomorrow at a certain time.
- MaríaPero no me dijiste qué hora es.But you didn't tell me what time it is.
- DanielTe enviaré un mensaje a cierta hora.I will send you a message at a certain time.
- MaríaEstá bien, Daniel, yo espero el mensaje.Alright, Daniel, I'll wait for the message.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hora, CC BY-SA 4.0.
