a la una
/a la una/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase for "at one o'clock" is a la una.
The phrase is used to specify that something happens at the first hour of the day or the afternoon. In some Latin American countries, you may hear A la una en punto de la tarde to mean "one o'clock in the afternoon," or A la una en punto de la mañana for "one o'clock in the morning."
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally "at the one". This reflects the fact that hours in Spanish are treated as feminine nouns (la hora).
Which one should you use?
Use a la una specifically for 1:00. For all other hours, you must switch to the plural form a las [number], such as a las dos or a las tres, because those hours are plural.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The specific phrasing A la una en punto de la tarde to denote the afternoon is noted in some Latin American countries.
How do you pronounce it?
/a la una/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the plural a las for one o'clock. Because una is singular, you must use the singular a la.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Me fui a dormir a la una.I went to sleep at one o'clock.This sentence is useful for expressing when you went to sleep using a la una.Tatoeba #4998764 by don_ramon, translation #10072565 by espamatics
- Me fui a la cama a la una.I went to bed at one o'clock.This sentence is useful for expressing when you went to bed using a la una.Tatoeba #2181152 by Shishir, translation #252455 by CK
- La reunión comenzará a la una en punto.The meeting will start at one o'clock sharp.
- La conferencia dará comienzo a la una exacta.The conference will start at exactly one o'clock.
- Nos vemos a la una en punto en el café.We'll meet at one o'clock sharp in the café.
- La cita es a la una en punto de la tarde.The appointment is at one o'clock in the afternoon.
- El vuelo sale a la una en punto de la mañana.The flight leaves at one o'clock in the morning.
- La cita es a la una.The appointment is at one o'clock.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are planning when to eat lunch.
- Alejandro¿Quieres almorzar a la una?Do you want to have lunch at one o'clock?
- MaríaSí, me parece perfecto.Yes, that sounds perfect to me.
- AlejandroEntonces nos vemos en el restaurante.Then I'll see you at the restaurant.
- MaríaDe acuerdo, hasta luego.Alright, see you later.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, la, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
