y media
time, standard
To say half past the hour in Spanish, use y media. For example, Son las tres y media means "it is half past three". It is also called media and treinta.
Meaning: half past the hour (adjective)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| y media | time, standard |
| media | adjective |
| treinta | time, digital |
Say the hour first and then y media. For one o'clock, use the singular: Es la una y media. For the other hours, the verb is plural: Son las dos y media.
Which one should you use?
Media hora means "half an hour" as a length of time: Espera media hora. Y cuarto is a quarter past and menos cuarto is a quarter to.
How does it change in a sentence?
In media hora the adjective is feminine because hora is feminine. For a half in general, such as a half of an apple, Spanish says la mitad.
Did you know?
- Spanish speakers in Spain traditionally eat lunch at about two or half past two, which is why las dos y media is a common meeting time.
Examples in context
- Son las tres y media.It is half past three.
- Llego en media hora.I will arrive in half an hour.
- Es la una y media.It is half past one.
Example conversation
Mateo and Rosa agree on when to meet for lunch.
- Rosa¿A qué hora comemos?What time do we eat?
- MateoA las dos y media.At half past two.
- RosaPerfecto, nos vemos entonces.Perfect, see you then.
