media hora
/medja oɾa/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for 'half an hour' is media hora.
media hora is used to denote a period of time lasting thirty minutes.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of media (half) and hora (hour).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, you do not need an indefinite article like 'una' between media and hora as you do in English. Additionally, the word media does not change its form regardless of whether it is used before a masculine or feminine noun.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying media una hora, which incorrectly includes the article 'una'. The correct standard form is media hora.
Did you know?
- The word media in media hora is an adjective, but it is often confused with the noun la media, which means 'the sock' or 'the stocking'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying you will arrive in media hora is often treated as a flexible approximation rather than a strict deadline.
- Spanish uses media to describe both 'half' and 'average', so the word used in media hora is the same word used for a 'mathematical mean'.
Examples in context
- Vuelvo en media hora.I'll be back in half an hour.This sentence is useful for expressing when you will return.Tatoeba #2711854 by Shishir, translation #2711755 by sharptoothed
- Vino media hora tarde.He came half an hour late.This sentence is useful for describing how late someone arrived.Tatoeba #2123331 by Shishir, translation #3305999 by Sladey
- Nos vemos en media hora.We'll see each other in half an hour.This sentence is useful for arranging a meeting time.Tatoeba #1455667 by hayastan, translation #6704046 by AlanF_US
- La reunión empezará en media horaThe meeting will start in half an hour
- Voy a llegar tarde, espera media hora antes de comenzar la películaI'll be late, wait for half an hour before starting the movie
- Me llamarán en media horaThey will call me in half an hour
- 49 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are waiting for a bus.
- Sofía¿Cuánto falta para el autobús, Mateo?How long until the bus, Mateo?
- MateoCreo que llega en media hora.I think it arrives in half an hour.
- SofíaQué suerte, tengo media hora para leer.Lucky me, I have half an hour to read.
- MateoYo también aprovecharé para descansar.I will also take the opportunity to rest.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
