Es la una y media
/es la una i medja/from spelling rules
The English phrase "it is one thirty" is translated into Spanish as Es la una y media.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase y media literally means and half, which is the standard way to express the thirty-minute mark in Spanish.
Which one should you use?
While Es la una y media is the most common way to say one thirty, Es la una y treinta is also grammatically correct and used in more formal or digital contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, it is common to say Es la una treinta instead of Es la una y media.
Did you know?
- In Spain, referring to la una often triggers a conversation about la comida, as 1:30 PM is the traditional heart of the main daily meal.
- Because una refers to a single hour, you must use the singular verb Es instead of the plural Son, which is used for all other hours.
- The word media shares the same Latin root as the English word 'medium', both stemming from a concept of 'middle' or 'midpoint'.
Examples in context
- Es la una y media ahora.It is one thirty now.
- Mira el reloj, es la una y media.Look at the clock, it is one thirty.
- No puedo creer que ya es la una y media.I can't believe it is already one thirty.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are checking the time before a meeting.
- Sofía¿Sabes qué hora es, Mateo?Do you know what time it is, Mateo?
- MateoSí, es la una y media.Yes, it is one thirty.
- Sofía¡Qué rápido pasó el tiempo!How fast time passed!
- MateoEs verdad, tenemos que irnos.It's true, we have to go.
