siete y cuarenta y cinco
/sjete i kwaɾenta i θinko/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'seven forty-five' is expressed in Spanish as siete y cuarenta y cinco.
This phrase is used to state the time when forty-five minutes have passed since seven o'clock.
Which one should you use?
While siete y cuarenta y cinco is mathematically correct, native speakers more frequently use las ocho menos cuarto (eight minus a quarter) to express this time. You may also encounter the more informal version Siete cuarenta y cinco.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using a full sentence to say 'It is seven forty-five', you must use the plural verb Son las siete y cuarenta y cinco because the hour (siete) is plural. Additionally, in a complete sentence, you must use the feminine plural article las before the hour.
Did you know?
- The word cinco is actually a 'doublet' of the word ponche, meaning they both evolved from the same linguistic root through different paths.
Examples in context
- Siete cuarenta y cinco, ¿verdad?Seven forty-five, right?
- Son las siete y cuarenta y cinco.It is seven forty-five.
- La cita es a las siete y cuarenta y cinco.The appointment is at seven forty-five.
- Llegué a las siete y cuarenta y cinco.I arrived at seven forty-five.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are deciding what time to meet for dinner.
- ElenaAlejandro, ¿a qué hora cenamos?Alejandro, what time are we having dinner?
- AlejandroPodemos quedar a las siete y cuarenta y cinco.We can meet at seven forty-five.
- ElenaMe parece perfecto, Elena estará lista.That sounds perfect, Elena will be ready.
- AlejandroMuy bien, nos vemos entonces.Very well, see you then.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cinco, cuarenta, siete, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
