hora
standard, Mexico
In Mexico an hour is hora. The same word is used for asking the time with ¿Qué hora es? For a vague stretch of time Mexicans use rato, meaning "a while". It is also called Una hora.
Meaning: unit of time (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| hora | standard, Mexico |
| Una hora | one hour |
| Rato | a while |
Say una hora, dos horas and so on for durations. To ask the time, ¿Qué hora es? is standard, and ¿Me da la hora? is a polite way to ask a stranger.
Which one should you use?
Rato is not an exact length. Un rato can be a few minutes or more, which is why Mexicans say al rato for "later on".
How does it change in a sentence?
Hora is feminine, so you say una hora and la hora. The plural is horas.
Did you know?
- Mexicans often use a 12 hour clock with de la mañana, de la tarde or de la noche to avoid confusion.
Examples in context
- Tardé una hora en llegar.It took me an hour to get there.
- ¿Qué hora es?What time is it?
- Nos vemos al rato.See you later.
Example conversation
Lupe asks a passer-by for the time at a bus stop in Mexico City.
- LupeDisculpe, ¿me da la hora?Excuse me, what time is it?
- SeñorSon las cuatro y media.It is half past four.
- LupeGracias, ya voy tarde.Thanks, I am already late.
