ocho y veinte
/ot͡ʃo i beinte/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for eight twenty is ocho y veinte.
This phrase is used to state the time when it is twenty minutes past eight o'clock.
Which one should you use?
The phrase ocho y veinte is the standard way to express this time, while Ocho veinte is a more casual alternative.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use the phrase in a full sentence to state the time, you must precede it with the feminine plural article las, resulting in las ocho y veinte.
Did you know?
- While ocho y veinte is common, some regions prefer to count backward from the next hour, saying it is twenty minutes until nine.
- The word veinte comes from the Latin 'vīgintī', which is also the root for the English word 'vigintennial', meaning a twentieth anniversary.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, once the clock hits eight thirty, speakers stop using y and switch to media to say 'half past'.
Examples in context
- La reunión está programada para las ocho y veinte.The meeting is scheduled for eight twenty.
- La conferencia empezará veinte minutos después de las ocho.The conference will start twenty minutes after eight.
- Por favor, llegue a las ocho con veinte para la presentación.Please arrive at eight twenty for the presentation.
- Quedemos en el café a las ocho y veinte.Let's meet at the café at eight twenty.
- El tren parte a ocho veinte de la estación.The train departs at eight twenty from the station.
- Son las ocho y veinte.It is eight twenty.
- El tren sale a las ocho y veinte.The train leaves at eight twenty.
- Nos vemos a las ocho y veinte.We'll see each other at eight twenty.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are checking the time before a movie.
- Lucía¿Qué hora es, Alejandro?What time is it, Alejandro?
- AlejandroSon las ocho y veinte.It is eight twenty.
- Lucía¡Es muy tarde para la película!It's very late for the movie!
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, Lucía.Don't worry, Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ocho, veinte, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
