¡hora de ir a la escuela!
/ˈoɾa de ˈiɾ a la esˈkwela/word by word
The English phrase "time for school!" is translated into Spanish as ¡hora de ir a la escuela!
This exclamation is used to tell someone that it is time to leave for school.
Which one should you use?
You can also say ¡hora de ir al colegio! by substituting the word for school. In very casual settings, you might hear the colloquial ¡Hora de ir al cole!, where cole is a short form for school.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Using colegio instead of escuela is a common alternative for school in many different Spanish-speaking regions.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is often used elliptically as ¡hora de ir a la escuela!, but a grammatically complete sentence would include the verb es to say ¡Es hora de ir a la escuela! (It is time for school!).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈoɾa de ˈiɾ a la esˈkwela/
Did you know?
- The verb ir is a linguistic puzzle because its forms come from three different Latin verbs: īre for the infinitive, vādere for voy and esse for fui.
- In Spain, the phrase ¡hora de ir al cole! might be accompanied by the custom of la merienda, a light meal eaten after school that is a central part of a child's daily routine.
- While escuela is used for school, the word colegio is often used for primary and secondary education, but in some countries it can refer specifically to a college or university.
Examples in context
- Es hora de ir a la escuela, chicos y chicas. Recuerden la importancia de llegar puntualmente y aprovechar al máximo su educación.Time for school, boys and girls. Remember the importance of arriving on time and making the most of your education.
- Es hora de ir a la escuela, mi pequeño. ¡Vamos a aprender cosas nuevas y divertidas juntos!Time for school, my little one. Let's go learn new and exciting things together!
- ¡Hora de ir al cole, tío! Nos espera otro día de risas y aventuras.Time for school, dude! Another day of laughter and adventures awaits us!
Example conversation
A parent wakes up their child in the morning.
- Daniel¡Buenos días, María! ¡Hora de ir a la escuela!Good morning, Maria! Time for school!
- María¡Cinco minutos más, por favor!Five more minutes, please!
- DanielNo hay más tiempo, vamos.There is no more time, let's go.
- MaríaEstá bien, ya me levanto.Alright, I'm getting up now.
