tres y media
/tɾes i medja/from spelling rules
To say three thirty in Spanish, use tres y media.
tres y media is used to state that the time is half past three.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to three and a half, where y media represents half past.
Which one should you use?
While tres y media is the most common way to say three-thirty, tres y treinta (three and thirty) serves as a more literal, digital-style alternative used in certain contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
When stating the time, you use the plural verb son (as in Son las tres y media) because the hour is greater than one.
Did you know?
- In some regions, if you are approaching 3:30, you might hear the phrase media hora para las cuatro, which frames the time by how long it is until the next hour.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, people use a 24-hour clock for formal schedules, so you might hear 'las quince y media' instead of 'las tres y media' to indicate 15:30.
- While tres y media is used for time, Spanish uses the masculine medio when referring to 'half' of an object, such as medio kilo for 'half a kilo'.
Examples in context
- Son las tres y media.It's three-thirty.This sentence is useful for practicing how to state the time using tres y media.Tatoeba #456176 by lukaszpp, translation #4414119 by AlanF_US
- ¿Puede venir a la entrevista a las tres y media?Can you come to the interview at three thirty?
- Sí, puedo estar allí a las tres y media.Yes, I can be there at three thirty.
- La reunión comenzará a las tres y media en punto.The meeting will start at three thirty sharp.
- Estaré allí antes de las tres y media.I will be there before three thirty.
- Perfecto, nos encontramos a las tres y media.Perfect, let's meet at three thirty.
- La clase de baile de tu hermana termina a las tres y media.Your sister's dance class ends at three thirty.
- Son las tres y media de la tarde.It is three thirty in the afternoon.
- Nos vemos a las tres y media.We will see each other at three thirty.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are discussing when to meet for coffee.
- Mateo¿A qué hora es la cita?What time is the appointment?
- MaríaEs a las tres y media.It is at three thirty.
- MateoPerfecto, allí estaré.Perfect, I will be there.
- MaríaMuy bien, Mateo.Very well, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
