nueve menos cuarto
/nwebe menos kwaɾto/from spelling rules
In Spanish, eight forty-five is said as nueve menos cuarto.
The phrase nueve menos cuarto is a way to state the time when it is fifteen minutes before nine o'clock. It is more common in spoken, conversational Spanish than the digital-style 'ocho y cuarenta y cinco'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'nine minus a quarter'.
Which one should you use?
While nueve menos cuarto is the core phrase, in a full sentence you would typically use the feminine plural article las before it to indicate the hours, resulting in las nueve menos cuarto.
Did you know?
- The word cuarto in nueve menos cuarto is the same word used for a 'room' in a house. This is because a traditional house was often divided into four or five sections.
- While nueve menos cuarto is common, some Spanish speakers may use cuarto para las nueve to mean 'a quarter to nine'. This phrasing is particularly frequent in Latin American countries, creating a regional distinction in how time is subtracted.
Examples in context
- El tren sale a las nueve menos cuarto.The train leaves at eight forty-five.
- Tengo una cita a las nueve menos cuarto.I have an appointment at eight forty-five.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are checking the time in the morning.
- Lucía¿Qué hora es, Mateo?What time is it, Mateo?
- MateoSon las nueve menos cuarto.It is eight forty-five.
- Lucía¡Oh no! ¡Voy a llegar tarde!Oh no! I am going to be late!
- MateoTranquila, Lucía, todavía tienes tiempo.Don't worry, Lucía, you still have time.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuarto, menos, nueve, CC BY-SA 4.0.
