seis y media
/seis i medja/from spelling rules
In Spanish, half past six is expressed as seis y media.
The phrase is used to indicate the time that is thirty minutes after six o'clock.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally composed of the number six, the conjunction y (and) and media (half).
Which one should you use?
While seis y media is the most common way to say half past six, the phrase seis y treinta serves as a more literal, digital-style alternative to say six thirty.
How does it change in a sentence?
When specifying a particular time of day, the phrase is preceded by the feminine plural article las to agree with the implied horas (hours).
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use la instead of las. Because time is counted in hours (plural), the article must be plural.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, once the time reaches seis y media, people may begin referring to the next hour, saying it is 'half an hour until seven' using menos.
- In some Latin American countries, media is used in a phrase meaning 'half-hearted' or 'mediocre' when describing an effort or a result.
- The word seis shares the same Proto-Indo-European root as the English word 'six', making them distant linguistic cousins.
Examples in context
- Vuelvo a las seis y media.I will be back at half past six.This sentence shows how to express a return time using seis y media.Tatoeba #1477916 by marcelostockle, translation #262301 by CK
- Llámame a las seis y media, por favor.Call me at half past six please.This sentence is useful for requesting a phone call at seis y media.Tatoeba #5724419 by Tono, translation #6141809 by jamesbcn
- Me despierto a las seis y media de la mañana.I wake up at half past six in the morning.This sentence demonstrates using seis y media to describe a morning routine.Tatoeba #12656184 by glossboss, translation #277734 by CK
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are planning their dinner reservation.
- Mateo¿A qué hora es la reserva?What time is the reservation?
- LucíaEs a las seis y media.It is at half past six.
- MateoPerfecto, llegaremos a tiempo.Perfect, we will arrive on time.
- LucíaNo olvides traer las llaves.Don't forget to bring the keys.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries media, seis, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
