las tres
/las tɾes/from spelling rulesfeminine, plural
In Spanish, three o'clock is said as las tres.
las tres is used to denote the start of the fourth hour. To specify the time of day, you can add de la tarde for three in the afternoon or de la madrugada for three in the early morning. Adding en punto to the phrase is the equivalent of saying 'sharp' or 'on the dot' in English.
Meaning: the start of the fourth hour (noun)
Which one should you use?
To differentiate between morning and afternoon without using AM/PM, speakers add de la tarde (in the afternoon) or de la madrugada (in the early morning).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some countries like Mexico, Tres de la mañana is used to refer to 'three o'clock' in the early morning.
How does it change in a sentence?
When stating the time, use the plural verb son because the number of hours is plural (e.g., son las tres for 'it is three o'clock'). To say 'at three o'clock', you must use the preposition a before the phrase, such as in a las tres.
How do you pronounce it?
/las tɾes/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, if you are meeting someone at 'three o'clock', it is common practice to arrive several minutes late, as strict punctuality is often viewed as overly formal.
- The word las in las tres is a feminine plural article, because the word for 'hours' horas is feminine and is implied even when not spoken.
- The number 'three' in las tres shares a common ancestor with the English word 'three', both descending from the Proto-Indo-European root *treyes.
Examples in context
- Pronto serán las tres.It'll soon be three o'clock.This sentence shows how to express that it will soon be three o'clock using las tres.Tatoeba #2305968 by Shishir, translation #519325 by CK
- Por favor, está en casa a las tres.Please be home by three o'clock.This sentence uses las tres to provide an instruction to be home by a certain time.Tatoeba #6682008 by arh, translation #6681650 by CK
- Vas a llegar ahí a las tres en punto.You'll get there by three o'clock.This sentence uses las tres to indicate a scheduled arrival time.Tatoeba #1977466 by marcelostockle, translation #69372 by CN
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are arranging a meeting at a cafe.
- Lucía¿A qué hora es la cita?What time is the appointment?
- MateoEs a las tres.It is at three o'clock.
- LucíaPerfecto, estaré allí puntual.Perfect, I will be there on time.
- MateoTe veo a esa hora, Lucía.I'll see you at that time, Lucía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “three o'clock” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries las, tres, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
