a cualquier hora
/a kwalkjeɾ oɾa/from spelling rules
In Spanish, any time is a cualquier hora.
The phrase is used to refer to any hour or moment in a day or period.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition a (at), the adjective cualquier (any) and the noun hora (hour).
Which one should you use?
While a cualquier hora emphasizes the time of day, en cualquier momento is used to mean 'at any moment' or 'at any point' in a more abstract sense.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you want to say 'whenever you wish' in a formal way, you can use Cuando usted desee. For informal situations, you can use Cuando quieras to say 'whenever you want' or Siempre que quieras to say 'whenever you feel like it'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, 'any time' is often translated using the word for 'hour' (hora) rather than the word for 'time' (tiempo) when referring to a specific moment in a day.
How do you pronounce it?
/a kwalkjeɾ oɾa/
Did you know?
- In some dialects, saying a cualquier hora can be used hyperbolically to describe someone who is constantly late or has no schedule.
- The word hora is a direct descendant of the Latin hōra, which was borrowed from the Ancient Greek word ὥρᾱ.
- The word cualquier is actually a shortened form of cualquiera, dropping the final vowel when it appears before a noun like hora.
Examples in context
- Puedes llamarnos a cualquier hora.You can call us at any time.This sentence shows how to use a cualquier hora to express availability for a call.Tatoeba #2000051 by marcelostockle, translation #2000052 by marcelostockle
- Yo estoy libre todo el día, llegaré a verte a cualquier hora que te acomode.I am free all day, I'll come and see you at any time that suits you.This sentence uses a cualquier hora to indicate a person's availability to meet at a time that is convenient for someone else.Tatoeba #481322 by quarzoliquido, translation #256096 by CK
- En cualquier momento, estaré a su disposición.Any time, I will be at your disposal.
- Cuando usted desee, estaré encantado de ayudarlo.Whenever you wish, I will be delighted to assist you.
- Cuando quieras, podemos quedar para tomar un café.Whenever you want, we can meet up for a coffee.
- Siempre que quieras, podemos ponernos al día el fin de semana.Whenever you feel like it, we can catch up on the weekend.
- Puedes pasar por mi casa a cualquier hora.You can stop by my house at any time.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are planning a phone call.
- Mateo¿Cuándo te queda bien que te llame?When is a good time for me to call you?
- LucíaNo hay problema, puedes llamarme a cualquier hora.No problem, you can call me at any time.
- MateoEstá bien, te llamaré esta noche.Okay, I will call you tonight.
- LucíaPerfecto, estaré esperando tu llamada.Perfect, I will be waiting for your call.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, cualquier, hora, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
