son las doce del mediodía
/son las doθe del medjodia/from spelling rules
To say "it is 12 pm" in Spanish, use son las doce del mediodía.
This phrase is used specifically to state that the current time is noon. The word mediodía refers specifically to noon (12 PM) and not to midnight (12 AM).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase son las doce del mediodía literally translates to "they are the twelve of the midday".
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, time is expressed using feminine plural articles (las) because the implied noun is horas (hours). While son las doce del mediodía specifies the number twelve, es mediodía is a common way to say "it is noon" using a singular verb.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, if you tell someone you will meet them at mediodía, they may expect you closer to 2 PM because the main meal of the day is eaten much later than in English-speaking countries.
- The word doce is derived from the Latin duodecim, which literally combines the words for 'two' and 'ten'.
- The word mediodía is a literal construction of 'half' and 'day', meaning the exact midpoint of the daylight hours.
Examples in context
- Ya son las doce del mediodía, es hora de almorzar.It is already 12 pm, it is time to eat lunch.
- Mira el reloj, son las doce del mediodía.Look at the clock, it is 12 pm.
- No podemos almorzar todavía, porque no son las doce del mediodía.We cannot eat lunch yet, because it is not 12 pm.
- Justo ahora son las doce del mediodía.Right now it is 12 pm.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are deciding when to eat lunch at work.
- Daniel¿Ya es hora de comer?Is it time to eat yet?
- LucíaNo, todavía no son las doce del mediodía.No, it is not 12 pm yet.
- DanielTienes razón, falta un poco.You are right, there is a little time left.
- LucíaEsperaremos un rato más.We will wait a little longer.
