How to Say AM and PM in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

Learning how to express “am” and “pm” (ante meridiem and post meridiem) in Spanish is essential when it comes to telling time. Whether you’re chatting with someone or reading a digital or analog clock, understanding these terms will allow you to express time accurately and confidently. In this guide, we’ll explore the formal and informal ways to indicate time of day, along with some useful tips and examples. Let’s dive in!

Formal Ways to Say AM and PM in Spanish

When it comes to formal situations, such as academic or business settings, it is crucial to use the appropriate language to convey time correctly. Here are some formal expressions used to indicate AM and PM in Spanish:

1. de la mañana / de la tarde / de la noche: This is the most common way to express AM and PM in formal situations. “De la mañana” means “in the morning,” “de la tarde” means “in the afternoon,” and “de la noche” means “in the evening” or “at night.” This is the go-to option for official or professional scenarios. For example:

Son las 9 de la mañana. (It’s 9 in the morning.)
La reunión será a las 3 de la tarde. (The meeting will be at 3 in the afternoon.)
El evento comienza a las 8 de la noche. (The event starts at 8 in the evening.)

1. de la madrugada: This expression specifically refers to the early hours before dawn (between midnight and dawn) and is used in formal contexts. For example:

El vuelo sale a las 4 de la madrugada. (The flight departs at 4 in the early morning.)

Informal Ways to Say AM and PM in Spanish

When conversing with friends, family, or in casual situations, you may prefer to use more informal expressions to describe time. Here are some common ways to talk about AM and PM informally:

1. de la mañana / de la tarde / de la noche: Just like in formal settings, using “de la mañana,” “de la tarde,” and “de la noche” is also acceptable in everyday conversations. It is worth noting that this usage is less formal than in professional settings. Examples include:

Quedamos a las 9 de la mañana. (Let’s meet at 9 in the morning.)
Saldré a las 6 de la tarde. (I’ll leave at 6 in the afternoon.)
Nos vemos a las 10 de la noche. (See you at 10 in the evening.)

1. la mañana / la tarde / la noche: Dropping the preposition “de” is common in informal contexts. This is particularly true in certain Spanish-speaking regions. For instance:

Voy al supermercado por la mañana. (I’m going to the supermarket in the morning.)
Salimos a cenar por la noche. (We’re going out for dinner in the evening.)

Additional Tips and Examples

Now that we’ve covered the formal and informal ways to say AM and PM in Spanish, let’s explore some additional tips and examples to enhance your understanding:

1. Use “en punto” to indicate “exactly”

When you want to be extra precise about the time, you can add “en punto” after the hour. This phrase means “exactly” in English. Take a look at the following examples:

Son las 7 en punto de la mañana. (It’s exactly 7 in the morning.)
La cita es a las 3 en punto de la tarde. (The appointment is precisely at 3 in the afternoon.)

2. Consider the 24-hour clock

In some Spanish-speaking countries, the 24-hour clock format is common. Instead of using AM and PM, they express time using numbers from 0 to 24. For example, 6:00 AM would be “6:00” and 6:00 PM would be “18:00.” Keep this in mind if you encounter these variations.

3. Pronunciation matters

Correct pronunciation is essential when indicating time in Spanish. Pay attention to stress and accent marks to ensure that you convey the intended time accurately. Practice speaking and listening to time expressions to refine your pronunciation skills.

4. Time-related vocabulary

To expand your conversational abilities around time, familiarize yourself with essential Spanish vocabulary related to hours, minutes, and other time-related terms. Here are a few examples:

• Hora(s) – Hour(s)
• Minuto(s) – Minute(s)
• Día(s) – Day(s)
• Semana(s) – Week(s)
• Mes(es) – Month(s)
• Año(s) – Year(s)
• Reloj – Clock/Wristwatch
• Cronómetro – Stopwatch

Learning these words will enable you to express more complex time concepts and engage in time-related conversations confidently.