tres y cuarenta de la tarde
/tɾes i kwaɾenta de la taɾde/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'three forty pm' is translated into Spanish as tres y cuarenta de la tarde.
This phrase is used to state that the time is forty minutes past three in the afternoon. The addition of de la tarde specifically indicates the time is 'in the afternoon'. In many Spanish-speaking countries, it is also very common to use the 24-hour clock in formal or written contexts, such as las quince cuarenta, to avoid any ambiguity.
Which one should you use?
tres y cuarenta de la tarde specifies the time of day, whereas the shorter version las tres y cuarenta is used when the context of it being the afternoon is already understood. Las tres cuarenta de la tarde is an informal way to say 'three forty in the afternoon'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When stating the time, you must use the feminine plural article las before the hour if the hour is greater than one. In the digital-style reading of time, the word y (and) is used to separate the hour from the minutes.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾes i kwaɾenta de la taɾde/
Did you know?
- While tres y cuarenta is correct, many Spanish speakers would instead say las cuatro menos veinte, meaning 'four minus twenty'.
- The word tarde in tres y cuarenta de la tarde shares an ancient root with the English word 'tardy', as both descend from the Latin word 'tardē' meaning 'slowly'.
- In some cultures, saying de la tarde may start as early as noon or as late as nine pm, depending on the local sunset and social customs.
Examples in context
- La reunión está programada para las tres cuarenta de la tarde.The meeting is scheduled for three forty in the afternoon.
- Son las tres cuarenta de la tarde, el vuelo partirá pronto.It's three forty in the afternoon, the flight will depart soon
- Vamos a quedar en el cine a las tres cuarenta de la tarde.Let's meet at the cinema at three forty in the afternoon
- Saldremos del hotel a las tres cuarenta de la tarde.We will leave the hotel at three forty in the afternoon.
- Son las tres y cuarenta de la tarde.It is three forty pm.
- La cita es a las tres y cuarenta de la tarde.The appointment is at three forty pm.
- Nos vemos a las tres y cuarenta de la tarde.We will see each other at three forty pm.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are checking the time before a meeting.
- Sofía¿A qué hora es la reunión?What time is the meeting?
- MateoEs a las tres y cuarenta de la tarde.It is at three forty pm.
- SofíaPerfecto, todavía tenemos tiempo.Perfect, we still have time.
- MateoSí, nos vemos entonces.Yes, see you then.
