a las
/a las/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase used to say that something is at a certain time is a las.
This phrase is used to state the specific time when an event occurs. To clarify the time of day without using a.m. or p.m., it is common to use de la mañana (in the morning), de la tarde (in the afternoon) or de la noche (at night).
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, a las translates to 'at the' (feminine plural). This refers to the feminine noun horas (hours), which is often omitted.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, the colloquial word ratito can be used to mean 'in a little while'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because hours are plural in Spanish, you use a las for all hours from two through twelve. However, if the time specified is one o'clock, you must use the singular form a la instead of a las.
How do you pronounce it?
/a las/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying a social event starts a las ocho is often treated as a suggestion rather than a strict deadline. Guests frequently arrive significantly later than the stated time without being considered rude.
- Because the word horas is so deeply implied in the phrase a las, Spanish speakers treat the numbers used for time as feminine nouns, even though numbers are typically masculine.
- The word las in a las is a linguistic remnant of the Latin word illās, which was the accusative feminine plural form of 'that'.
Examples in context
- La reunión comenzará a las 9 en puntoThe meeting will start at exactly 9 o'clock
- La conferencia empieza a las 5 en puntoThe conference starts at exactly 5 o'clock
- El evento estará abierto a partir de las 10 de la mañanaThe event will be open starting from 10 in the morning
- La cita es a las dos y mediaThe appointment is at two thirty
- Voy a llegar a eso de las 8I'll arrive around 8 o'clock
- Nos vemos por la tardeLet's meet in the afternoon
- Salgamos temprano mañanaLet's leave early tomorrow
- Vamos a cenar esta nocheWe're going to have dinner tonight
- La clase es a las tres.The class is at three.
- La cita es a la una.The appointment is at one.
- La clase es a las diez.The class is at ten.
- Nos vemos a las ocho.We see each other at eight.
- El partido es a las tres.The game is at three.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are making plans to meet for dinner.
- Sofía¿A qué hora es la cena?What time is dinner?
- JavierLa cena es a las nueve.Dinner is at nine.
- SofíaPerfecto, nos vemos entonces.Perfect, see you then.
- JavierHasta luego, Sofía.See you later, Sofía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, las, CC BY-SA 4.0.
