cuarto
/ˈkwaɾto/masculine
The English word 'quarter' is translated into Spanish as cuarto. Wiktionary also lists cuartel.
Meaning: one of four equal parts (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cuarto | /ˈkwaɾto/ | masculine |
| cuartel | /kwaɾˈtel/ | masculine |
cuarto refers to one of four equal parts. Additionally, the phrase un cuarto can mean 'a room', such as in un cuarto de hotel (a hotel room). The related verb cuartear means to divide into quarters or to divide by four.
Which one should you use?
While both words are masculine, do not confuse cuarto (meaning quarter or room) with cuartel, which means barracks.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are referring to a quarter of a specific unit of time, it is common to use the construction un cuarto de [unit], such as un cuarto de hora (a quarter of an hour).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkwaɾto/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to use cuartel when you mean a quarter or a room. cuartel specifically refers to military barracks.
Did you know?
- The use of cuarto to mean 'room' is a cultural remnant of an old architectural habit of dividing homes into four or five main sections.
- The word cuartel is a linguistic immigrant, having been borrowed from the French word 'quartier' rather than coming from Latin.
Examples in context
- Son las ocho y cuarto.It's a quarter past eight.This sentence shows how to say it is a quarter past eight using cuarto.Tatoeba #454509 by Shishir, translation #410463 by CM
- Son las dos menos cuarto.It's quarter to two.This sentence shows how to say it is a quarter to two using cuarto.Tatoeba #1438799 by Shishir, translation #1438805 by Maelstr0m
- Son las tres menos cuarto.It's a quarter to three.This sentence shows how to say it is a quarter to three using cuarto.Tatoeba #1013260 by hayastan, translation #703322 by papabear
- Son las tres y cuarto (de hora).It's three fifteen (quarter past three).
- Quedamos a las seis y un cuarto.Let's meet at six fifteen (quarter past six).
- Te espero en un cuarto de hora.I'll wait for you in fifteen minutes (a quarter of an hour).
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are sharing a large chocolate cake in the kitchen.
- Sofía¿Quieres un cuarto de este pastel?Do you want a quarter of this cake?
- DanielSí, gracias, Sofía.Yes, thanks, Sofía.
- SofíaEs un pastel muy grande.It is a very big cake.
- DanielPor eso un cuarto es suficiente para mí.That is why a quarter is enough for me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “quarter” translations and entries cuarto, cuartel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuartel, cuarto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
