veinte para las cuatro
/beinte paɾa las kwatɾo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "twenty minutes before four" is expressed in Spanish as veinte para las cuatro.
To be more precise, you can say Son exactamente veinte para las cuatro (It's exactly twenty to four) or if it is nearly that time, you can say Son casi veinte para las cuatro (It's almost twenty to four). In the 24-hour clock format used in Mexico, twenty minutes before four would be expressed as tres cuarenta (three forty).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase veinte para las cuatro literally translates to "twenty for the four", where para (for) is used to indicate the time remaining until the hour.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- El tren sale veinte para las cuatro.The train leaves twenty minutes before four.
Example conversation
Javier and María are checking the time in a cafe.
- Javier¿Qué hora es, María?What time is it, María?
- MaríaSon veinte para las cuatro.It is twenty minutes before four.
- Javier¡Qué rápido pasa el tiempo!How fast time passes!
- MaríaSí, tenemos que irnos ya.Yes, we have to go now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuatro, las, para, veinte, CC BY-SA 4.0.
