tres y quince de la tarde
/tɾes i kinθe de la taɾde/from spelling rules
In Spanish, three fifteen pm is expressed as tres y quince de la tarde.
This phrase specifies the time as a quarter past three in the afternoon. The component y cuarto can be used to translate to 'and a quarter', which is a common way to denote fifteen minutes past the hour.
Which one should you use?
In natural speech, it is very common to use cuarto (quarter) instead of quince (fifteen) to express the time, such as in the phrase las tres y cuarto de la tarde.
How does it change in a sentence?
When stating the time in Spanish, the definite article las is used before the hour because horas is feminine and plural. To specify 'pm' for the afternoon, use de la tarde, whereas de la mañana would be used to indicate 'am' in the morning.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾes i kinθe de la taɾde/
Did you know?
- If you are in a hurry in a Spanish-speaking country, you might hear people use a 24-hour clock, saying las quince y quince instead of using 'pm'.
- The word tarde shares its origin with the English word 'tardy' because both come from the Latin root for 'late'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying de la tarde for 3:15 pm is crucial because tarde can cover any time from noon until sunset.
Examples in context
- La cita es a las tres y quince de la tarde.The appointment is at three fifteen pm.
- Nos vemos a las tres y quince de la tarde.We will see each other at three fifteen pm.
- El tren sale a las tres y quince de la tarde.The train leaves at three fifteen pm.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are planning a coffee date.
- Daniel¿A qué hora nos reunimos?What time are we meeting?
- LucíaPodemos vernos a las tres y quince de la tarde.We can see each other at three fifteen pm.
- DanielPerfecto, allí estaré.Perfect, I will be there.
- LucíaMuy bien, hasta luego.Very well, see you later.
