la una y media
/la una i medja/from spelling rules
In Spanish, half past one is said as la una y media.
The phrase is used to denote the time that is thirty minutes after one o'clock.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, la una y media translates to 'the one and half'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the hour 'one' (la una) is feminine in Spanish, you must use the feminine definite article la instead of el.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, saying la una y media during a meal might imply it is time to finish, as lunch is traditionally the most important and longest meal of the day.
- The word media in this phrase shares the same Latin root as the English word 'median', which refers to the middle value in a set.
- While la una y media is standard, some Spanish speakers use la una y treinta to be more precise, especially in formal contexts like airport or train schedules.
Examples in context
- Es la una y media.It's half past one.Tatoeba #8803545 by carlosalberto, translation #3550808 by adamtrousers
- La reunión comenzará a la una y media.The meeting will start at half past one.
- El tren sale a la una y media.The train departs at half past one.
- Nos vemos a la una y media.See you at half past one.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are talking about a lunch date.
- Alejandro¿A qué hora es la cita?What time is the appointment?
- SofíaEs a la una y media.It is at half past one.
- AlejandroPerfecto, allí estaré.Perfect, I will be there.
- SofíaNos vemos entonces, Alejandro.See you then, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, media, una, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
