ocho y cuarto
/ot͡ʃo i kwaɾto/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'eight fifteen' is translated into Spanish as ocho y cuarto.
The phrase is used to denote the time of day when fifteen minutes have passed after eight o'clock.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ocho y cuarto literally translates to 'eight and a quarter'.
Which one should you use?
While ocho y cuarto is the most common way to say eight fifteen, ocho y quince is also grammatically correct and used in more digital or precise contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
When stating the time in a sentence, you must use the feminine plural article las before the phrase, as in las ocho y cuarto.
How do you pronounce it?
/otʃo i kwaɾto/
Did you know?
- The word cuarto in ocho y cuarto is the same word used for 'room' in Spanish. This is because rooms were historically seen as one of four or five main sections of a house.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, arriving at ocho y cuarto for a social gathering may be considered early, as 'social time' often allows for a flexible window of arrival.
- In some regions, instead of ocho y cuarto, people might say faltan cuarenta y cinco para las nueve, which means 'forty-five minutes are lacking until nine'.
Examples in context
- Salgo de la casa a las ocho y cuarto, y llego al colegio a las nueve menos cuarto.I leave the house at eight fifteen, and arrive at school at eight forty‐five.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use ocho y cuarto when stating departure and arrival times.Tatoeba #436722 by lukaszpp, translation #3659813 by MTC
- El vuelo saldrá a las ocho y quince de la mañana.The flight will depart at eight fifteen in the morning.
- La reunión comenzará a las ocho y cuarto de la tarde.The meeting will start at eight fifteen in the evening.
- Nos encontraremos a las ocho y cuarto en el parque.We will meet at eight fifteen in the park.
- Llegaré a la cita a las ocho quince.I will arrive at the appointment at eight fifteen.
- La clase empieza a las ocho y cuarto.The class starts at eight fifteen.
- El tren pasa por la estación a las ocho y cuarto.The train passes through the station at eight fifteen.
Example conversation
María and Javier are discussing their morning schedule.
- María¿A qué hora desayunas, Javier?What time do you have breakfast, Javier?
- JavierSuelo comer algo a las ocho y cuarto.I usually eat something at eight fifteen.
- MaríaEs un poco temprano para mí.That is a bit early for me.
- JavierSí, pero así empiezo bien el día.Yes, but that way I start the day well.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuarto, ocho, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
