las tres y cuarenta y cinco
/las tɾes i kwaɾenta i θinko/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'three forty-five' is translated into Spanish as las tres y cuarenta y cinco.
This phrase is used to state the time of 3:45. In some Latin American countries, people might say treinta y cinco minutos para las cuatro instead of tres cuarenta y cinco.
Which one should you use?
While las tres y cuarenta y cinco is the literal way to say 3:45, las cuatro menos cuarto is a more frequent way to express the same time in conversational Spanish.
How do you pronounce it?
/las tɾes i kwaɾenta i θinko/
Did you know?
- The word cinco is a linguistic doublet of the Spanish word ponche, as both derive from the same Vulgar Latin root for 'five'.
- In Spanish, time is always treated as a feminine noun because it refers to las horas, the hours.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, stating the exact minute as cuarenta y cinco can sound overly precise or formal compared to the idiomatic cuarto.
Examples in context
- La reunión comienza a las tres cuarenta y cinco en punto.The meeting starts at three forty-five sharp.
- Son las tres y cuarenta y cinco.It is three forty-five.
- La cita es a las tres y cuarenta y cinco.The appointment is at three forty-five.
- Esperamos al tren a las tres y cuarenta y cinco.We are waiting for the train at three forty-five.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are checking the schedule at the station.
- Lucía¿A qué hora sale el autobús, Mateo?What time does the bus leave, Mateo?
- MateoSale a las tres y cuarenta y cinco.It leaves at three forty-five.
- LucíaEntonces tenemos tiempo para un café.Then we have time for a coffee.
- MateoSí, vamos a la cafetería.Yes, let's go to the cafe.
