el tiempo vuela
/el ˌtjempo ˈbwela/
The English phrase "time flies" is expressed in Spanish as el tiempo vuela.
This phrase is used to express the idea that time seems to pass very quickly. Other common ways to convey this sentiment include el tiempo pasa volando (time passes flying by) and the informal variant el tiempo se pasa volando.
Meaning: time seems to pass quickly (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase el tiempo vuela is composed of el (the), tiempo (time) and vuela (flies/is flying).
Which one should you use?
While el tiempo vuela is a standard way to say time flies, you can also use el tiempo pasa volando to say that time passes flying by. For a more idiomatic and informal approach, you might use el tiempo se pasa volando or the expression el tiempo se va en un abrir y cerrar de ojos, which translates to "time goes away in the blink of an eye".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase el tiempo vuela, the verb vuela is the third-person singular present indicative form of volar (to fly).
How do you pronounce it?
/el ˌtjempo ˈbwela/
Did you know?
- The word tiempo in Spanish is a homonym that refers to both 'time' and 'weather'.
- The word tiempo shares a common ancestor with the English word 'temperature', as both stem from a root meaning 'to stretch' or 'to extend'.
- The expression en un abrir y cerrar de ojos literally describes the action of both opening and closing the eyes to describe a brief moment.
Examples in context
- El tiempo vuela como una flecha.Time flies like an arrow.This sentence illustrates the comparison of time flying like an arrow using el tiempo vuela.Tatoeba #1279639 by marcelostockle, translation #240403 by CM
- El tiempo vuela.Time flies.This is a simple way to state that el tiempo vuela.Tatoeba #554130 by Leono, translation #263886 by CK
- A menudo escuchamos a la gente decir que el tiempo vuela.We often hear people say that time flies.This sentence shows how people often use the phrase el tiempo vuela in conversation.Tatoeba #3073788 by cueyayotl, translation #270386 by CK
- En mi opinión, el tiempo vuela cuando se trabaja en equipo.In my opinion, time flies when working as a team.
- ¡Es increíble cómo el tiempo pasa volando cuando uno disfruta de lo que hace!It's incredible how time flies when one enjoys what they do!
- No puedo creerlo, ¡el tiempo se pasa volando cuando estamos juntos!I can't believe it, time flies when we're together!
- El fin de semana se va en un abrir y cerrar de ojos, ¿verdad?The weekend goes away in the blink of an eye, right?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two old friends meet for coffee after many years.
- Elena¡No puedo creer que ya sea diciembre!I can't believe it is already December!
- MateoEs verdad, el tiempo vuela.It's true, time flies.
- ElenaParece que fue ayer cuando nos graduamos.It seems like it was yesterday when we graduated.
- MateoSí, la vida pasa muy rápido.Yes, life passes very quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “time flies” translations and entries el tiempo vuela, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, tiempo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
