nueve y cuarto
/nwebe i kwaɾto/from spelling rules
To say "nine fifteen" in Spanish, you use nueve y cuarto.
This phrase is used to state the time when it is fifteen minutes past nine o'clock.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase nueve y cuarto literally translates to "nine and quarter".
Which one should you use?
Nueve y cuarto is the more common, idiomatic way to express this time in conversational Spanish, whereas nueve quince is a more literal way of stating the time.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, cuartos is a slang term for 'money'. This comes from the old cuarto coin, which was worth one quarter of a real.
- While cuarto is used for time, it is also the standard word for a 'room' in a house. This usage stems from the historical practice of dividing buildings into four or five sections.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, if you are told an event starts at nueve y cuarto, arriving exactly at that time might be considered too early depending on the social context.
Examples in context
- Nos vemos a las nueve y cuarto.We are meeting at nine fifteen.
- La cita es a las nueve y cuarto.The appointment is at nine fifteen.
- Son las nueve y cuarto de la mañana.It is nine fifteen in the morning.
- El tren sale a las nueve y cuarto.The train leaves at nine fifteen.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are discussing their morning schedule.
- Mateo¿A qué hora empieza la clase, Sofía?What time does the class start, Sofía?
- SofíaLa clase empieza a las nueve y cuarto.The class starts at nine fifteen.
- MateoPerfecto, tengo tiempo de desayunar.Perfect, I have time to eat breakfast.
- SofíaSí, nos vemos allá.Yes, I'll see you there.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
