ocho y cuarenta
/ot͡ʃo i kwaɾenta/from spelling rules
The phrase ocho y cuarenta is the way to say eight forty in Spanish.
This phrase is used to state the time when it is forty minutes past eight o'clock. It is most commonly used when reading digital clocks or in more formal/precise contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using this phrase in a full sentence to state the time, you must use the feminine plural article las before the hour, resulting in las ocho y cuarenta.
How do you pronounce it?
/otʃo i kwaɾenta/
Did you know?
- While ocho y cuarenta is technically correct, a native speaker is more likely to describe this time as las nueve menos veinte, which literally means 'nine minus twenty'.
- The word cuarenta shares its DNA with the English word 'quadrillion' or 'quadruple' because they both stem from the same Latin root for 'four'.
- When referring to a specific appointment at this time, the feminine article las changes to a las, which transforms the meaning from 'it is eight forty' to 'at eight forty'.
Examples in context
- La reunión es a las ocho cuarentaThe meeting is at eight forty
- Quedamos a las ocho y cuarenta en el caféLet's meet at eight forty at the café
- La clase empieza a las ocho y cuarenta.The class starts at eight forty.
- Tengo una cita a las ocho y cuarenta.I have an appointment at eight forty.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are checking the time before a movie starts.
- Mateo¿Qué hora es, Elena?What time is it, Elena?
- ElenaSon las ocho y cuarenta.It is eight forty.
- Mateo¡Perfecto! La película empieza pronto.Perfect! The movie starts soon.
- ElenaSí, vamos a sentarnos.Yes, let's sit down.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuarenta, ocho, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
