dos y cuarto
/dos i kwaɾto/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "two fifteen" is expressed as dos y cuarto.
The phrase is used to state that the time is 2:15.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase dos y cuarto literally translates to "two and a quarter", where the "quarter" refers to a quarter of an hour.
Which one should you use?
While dos y cuarto is the most common way to express this time, dos quince is also used, especially in digital contexts or when providing a more literal reading.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, Las dos y cuarto is commonly used in everyday speech.
How do you pronounce it?
/dos i kwaɾto/
Did you know?
- While English uses 'quarter' to mean a portion of an hour, the Spanish cuarto can also mean a 'room' or a specific division of a house.
- The word dos shares a common ancestor with the English word 'two' and the Ancient Greek δύο, descending from the Proto-Indo-European root *dwóh₁.
- In many Spanish-speaking-countries, you must use the plural article las before the time, such as in las dos y cuarto, because the hours are treated as feminine plural nouns.
Examples in context
- Son las dos y cuarto.It is two fifteen.
- La clase empieza a las dos y cuarto.The class starts at two fifteen.
- Nos vemos a las dos y cuarto.See you at two fifteen.
Example conversation
Maria and Mateo are planning a time to meet for coffee.
- María¿A qué hora quedamos?What time shall we meet?
- MateoA las dos y cuarto, ¿está bien?At two fifteen, is that okay?
- MaríaSí, Mateo, me parece perfecto.Yes, Mateo, that sounds perfect to me.
- MateoVale, nos vemos entonces.Okay, see you then.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuarto, dos, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
