un cuarto
/un kwaɾto/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "one fourth" is un cuarto.
un cuarto is used to express the fraction one fourth. To specifically refer to a quarter of an hour (15 minutes), use the phrase un cuarto de hora.
Which one should you use?
Depending on the context, un cuarto can mean the fraction one fourth or the noun for a room. Additionally, Una cuarta parte is a formal way to express one fourth.
How do you pronounce it?
/un kwaɾto/
Did you know?
- The word cuarto means both 'one fourth' and 'room'. This is because historical houses were often divided into four or five main sections.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if you ask for un cuarto at a bakery or market, you might receive a quarter of a kilo of a product rather than a single quarter.
- In some contexts, cuarto can refer to a specific old currency coin that represented a quarter of a larger unit.
Examples in context
- El tiempo se divide en una cuarta parteThe time is divided into one fourth.
- ¿Podría obtener solo una cuarta parte de la pizza, por favor?Could I get only one fourth of the pizza, please?
- Para la receta, necesitarás una cuarta parte de taza de azúcarFor the recipe, you will need one fourth of a cup of sugar.
- Solo queda un cuarto de la pizza.Only one fourth of the pizza is left.
- Él se comió un cuarto de la tarta.He ate one fourth of the cake.
- Necesito un cuarto de taza de azúcar.I need one fourth of a cup of sugar.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are sharing a dessert in a cafe.
- Elena¿Quieres comer un cuarto de este pastel?Do you want to eat one fourth of this cake?
- MateoSí, me parece una buena idea.Yes, that sounds like a good idea.
- ElenaYo me comeré el resto.I will eat the rest.
- MateoPerfecto, gracias Elena.Perfect, thanks Elena.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuarto, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
