la mayor parte del tiempo
/la maʝoɾ paɾte del tjempo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "most of the time" is translated into Spanish as la mayor parte del tiempo.
This phrase is used as an adverbial to describe something that occurs during a continuous duration or a single long period.
Meaning: on most occasions (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of la mayor parte (the greater part) and del tiempo (of the time).
Which one should you use?
While la mayor parte del tiempo refers to a continuous duration or a single long period, you should use la mayoría de las veces when referring to the frequency of discrete, repeated occasions (most of the times).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, the phrase la mayoría del tiempo is widely understood. In Spain, you can also use normalmente or habitualmente to convey the meaning of "usually" or "normally".
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverbial phrase, la mayor parte del tiempo does not change its form based on the gender or number of the subject it describes.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word tiempo refers to both 'time' as a duration and 'weather'. A person might say hace buen tiempo to mean the weather is nice.
- The word tiempo shares a root with the English word 'temperature'. Both come from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to stretch' or 'string'.
- The word mayor in this phrase can also mean 'older' when used to describe siblings, such as 'mi hermano mayor' for 'my older brother'.
Examples in context
- Mamá estaba muy ocupada la mayor parte del tiempo.Mother was very busy most of the time.This sentence shows how to describe someone being busy during a specific period using la mayor parte del tiempo.Tatoeba #587291 by Shishir, translation #320822 by CN
- Algunos estaban borrachos la mayor parte del tiempo.A few were drunk most of the time.This sentence uses la mayor parte del tiempo to describe a state of being during a period.Tatoeba #1304794 by Shishir, translation #807174 by Source_VOA
- La figura de la reina fue diseñada de forma unidimensional durante la mayor parte del tiempo de la historia. Solo al final consiguió algo de profundidad.The figure of the queen was designed one-dimensionally during most of the time in history. Only at the very end did it get some depth.This sentence demonstrates using la mayor parte del tiempo to describe a duration within a historical context.Tatoeba #10535743 by carlosalberto, translation #10535733 by carlosalberto
- En la mayoría de los casos, llego a tiempo a las reuniones.Most of the time, I arrive on time to meetings.
- Por lo general, el servicio al cliente es excelente en esta tienda.Most of the time, the customer service is excellent in this store.
- Ya sabes que casi siempre llego tarde a las fiestas.You know that I'm late to parties most of the time.
- La mayor parte del tiempo, disfruto de mi trabajo.Most of the time, I enjoy my job.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are discussing Daniel's new job schedule.
- Daniel¿Trabajas en casa la mayor parte del tiempo?Do you work from home most of the time?
- ElenaNo, voy a la oficina casi todos los días.No, I go to the office almost every day.
- DanielEntiendo, debe ser agotador para ti.I see, it must be exhausting for you.
- ElenaSí, pero me gusta mucho mi nuevo puesto.Yes, but I like my new position a lot.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries del, la, mayor, parte, tiempo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
