todo el tiempo
/todo el tjempo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "all times" is translated as todo el tiempo.
The phrase todo el tiempo is used to describe something that happens continuously or very frequently.
Which one should you use?
While todo el tiempo emphasizes continuous duration or frequency, the single-word adverb siempre means "always".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain and some Latin American countries, you may hear the colloquial expression Todo el rato to convey "all the time" or "constantly". In Mexico and some other Latin American countries, A cada rato is used to mean "all the time", while A cada momento is used to mean "every moment". Finally, En todo momento is used in both Spain and Latin American countries to indicate "at all times".
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the phrase uses the singular masculine noun tiempo, the article el and the adjective todo must also be singular and masculine.
Did you know?
- The word tiempo shares a common root with the English words 'tempo' and 'temperature'. Both come from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to stretch', relating to the idea of time being a stretched or measured interval.
- While you might use todo el tiempo to mean 'all the time', the word siempre is a much more common way to say 'always'. Using todo el tiempo often implies a sense of annoyance or an observation of a constant, repetitive habit.
Examples in context
- Mi hermano menor está jugando videojuegos a todas horas.My younger brother plays video games all the time.
- Mi hermana mayor está hablando por teléfono todo el rato.My older sister is on the phone all the time.
- Mi abuela está cocinando a cada rato.My grandmother is cooking all the time.
- Los padres deben cuidar a sus hijos en todo momento.Parents should take care of their children at all times.
- Ella habla todo el tiempo.She talks all the time.
- Ella trabaja todo el tiempo.She works all the time.
- Estás hablando todo el tiempo.You are talking all the time.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are talking about their dog.
- DanielMi perro ladra todo el tiempo.My dog barks all the time.
- MaríaEso debe ser muy molesto, Daniel.That must be very annoying, Daniel.
- DanielSí, no puedo dormir bien.Yes, I cannot sleep well.
- MaríaTal vez necesite más paseos.Maybe he needs more walks.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry todo el tiempo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, tiempo, todo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
