las diez menos cuarto
/las djeθ menos kwaɾto/from spelling rules
The English phrase "nine forty-five" can be expressed in Spanish as las diez menos cuarto.
This phrase is used to state the time when it is fifteen minutes before ten o'clock.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "ten minus a quarter".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase las diez menos cuarto, the word cuarto (quarter) is used in the singular form because it functions as a noun meaning "a quarter of an hour".
How do you pronounce it?
/las djeθ menos kwaɾto/
Did you know?
- The word cuarto can also refer to a room or an apartment, showing how a single term for a fourth part can branch into different physical meanings.
- In some Latin American countries, you might hear diez menos quince instead of cuarto, using the number 'fifteen' rather than the word for 'quarter'.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, you might hear people say las diez y cuarenta y cinco instead of the subtraction method, which is more common in Spain.
Examples in context
- Son las nueve y cuarenta y cinco de la mañanaIt is nine forty-five in the morning.
- Son las nueve cuarenta y cinco de la nocheIt is nine forty-five at night.
- Estamos llegando al cine a las nueve cuarenta y cincoWe are arriving at the cinema at nine forty-five.
- Pasé por tu casa a las nueve cuarenta y cincoI stopped by your house at nine forty-five.
- El tren sale a las diez menos cuarto.The train leaves at nine forty-five.
- Nos vemos a las diez menos cuarto.We will see each other at nine forty-five.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are checking the time before a meeting.
- Javier¿Qué hora es, Sofía?What time is it, Sofía?
- SofíaSon las diez menos cuarto.It is nine forty-five.
- Javier¡Qué rápido pasa el tiempo!How time flies!
- SofíaSí, Javier, tenemos que irnos.Yes, Javier, we have to go.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuarto, diez, las, menos, CC BY-SA 4.0.
