Gaining a basic understanding of how to express different times in Spanish is an essential skill for anyone learning the language. Whether you’re traveling to a Spanish-speaking country or simply want to communicate with Spanish-speaking friends and colleagues, being able to express the time accurately will make your conversations more effective. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to say different times in Spanish, providing tips, examples, and even a few regional variations along the way.
Table of Contents
1. The Basics: Telling The Time
Before diving into the formal and informal expressions of time, let’s start with the basic vocabulary and phrases used to tell the time in Spanish. Here are some essential words and phrases you need to know:
- La hora: The time
- ¿Qué hora es?: What time is it?
- La mañana: The morning
- La tarde: The afternoon/evening
- La noche: The night
- Media: Half
- Menos: Less (used in conjunction with the number of minutes before the next hour)
- En punto: Exactly (used to indicate an exact hour)
Now that we have the basics covered, let’s move on to the formal expressions of time.
2. Formal Expressions of Time
When speaking in formal situations, it is important to use proper grammar and adhere to formal language conventions. Here are some formal expressions to help you tell the time accurately:
2.1 Expressing the Exact Hour
To express the exact hour, use the following structure:
Son las + [number] + [en punto].
For example:
Son las dos en punto. (It is two o’clock.)
Note: In Spanish, the verb “ser” (to be) is used in this context, rather than “estar” (to be) as in English.
2.2 Expressing Minutes Past the Hour
To express minutes past the hour, use the following structure:
Son las + [number] + [y] + [number] + [minutos].
For example:
Son las tres y diez minutos. (It is ten past three.)
2.3 Expressing Minutes to the Next Hour
To express minutes to the next hour, use the following structure:
Son las + [number] + [menos] + [number].
For example:
Son las cinco menos veinte. (It is twenty to five.)
Note: The word “menos” is used to indicate that the following number of minutes is before the next hour.
3. Informal Expressions of Time
In informal situations, people often use shortened forms and colloquial expressions when telling the time. Here are some examples of informal expressions:
3.1 Expressing the Exact Hour
Informally, you can simply state the number followed by “de la” + “mañana,” “tarde,” or “noche” to indicate the time of day. For example:
Son las tres de la tarde. (It is three in the afternoon.)
If it is morning, you can use “de la mañana” or omit it altogether:
Son las diez. (It is ten o’clock.)
Son las diez de la mañana. (It is ten in the morning.)
3.2 Expressing Minutes Past the Hour
When expressing minutes past the hour informally, you can use the following structure:
[Number] + [y] + [number]
For example:
Son las cinco y diez. (It is ten past five.)
3.3 Expressing Minutes to the Next Hour
To express minutes to the next hour informally, use this structure:
Menos + [number]
For example:
Son veinte menos cinco. (It is five to twenty – 5:40)
Note: The word “menos” works the same way as in formal expressions but is used without “son las.”
4. Examples and Regional Variations
Now that you have a good understanding of formal and informal expressions of time in Spanish, here are some additional examples:
Son las once en punto. (It is eleven o’clock.)
Son las ocho y veinte minutos. (It is twenty past eight.)
Son las nueve menos diez. (It is ten to nine.)
Regional variations in expressing time may exist within the Spanish-speaking world, particularly when referring to specific local customs or preferences. It is worthwhile to learn these variations if you plan to interact with people from specific regions.
5. Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to say different times in Spanish. Remember to practice these expressions regularly to reinforce your knowledge. Whether you’re using formal or informal language, understanding how to tell the time accurately will make your conversations in Spanish much more effective and enjoyable. Keep exploring the language, and soon you’ll be able to have fluent conversations in Spanish!
