controlar el tiempo
/kontɾolaɾ el tjempo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "keep track of time" can be translated into Spanish as controlar el tiempo.
The phrase is used to describe being aware of the current time or monitoring how much time has elapsed.
Which one should you use?
While controlar el tiempo is a direct way to express the idea, llevar la cuenta del tiempo is a more natural alternative when you want to express the idea of monitoring or counting how much time is passing. For very specific formal contexts, you may also use Mantener un registro del tiempo to mean "maintain a record of time" or Hacer un seguimiento del tiempo to mean "to track time".
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes use controlar el tiempo when they actually mean they have lost track of how much time has passed. In those cases, you should use perder la noción del tiempo (to lose track of time).
Did you know?
- In Spanish, tiempo is used for both 'time' and 'weather'. This means controlar el tiempo can literally mean 'controlling the weather' in a science fiction or magical context.
- The word tiempo shares a common ancestor with the English word 'temperature', as both trace back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to stretch'.
- The Spanish word for time, tiempo, is a doublet of the word tempo. While both share the same root, tempo is used specifically for musical speed.
Examples in context
- Es importante mantener un registro del tiempo para cumplir con los plazos.It's important to keep track of time to meet deadlines.
- Nuestro equipo debe hacer un seguimiento del tiempo invertido en cada proyecto.Our team needs to track the time invested in each project.
- Chicos, debemos estar pendientes del tiempo o llegaremos tarde a la película.Guys, we need to keep track of the time, or we'll be late for the movie.
- Necesito controlar el tiempo durante el examen.I need to keep track of time during the exam.
Example conversation
Javier and María are studying together in a library.
- JavierMaría, ¿estamos controlando el tiempo?María, are we keeping track of time?
- MaríaNo, me olvidé de mirar el reloj.No, I forgot to look at the clock.
- JavierDebemos controlar el tiempo para terminar pronto.We should keep track of time to finish soon.
- MaríaTienes razón, Javier. Pongamos una alarma.You are right, Javier. Let's set an alarm.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries controlar, el, tiempo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
