dos y cuarenta y cinco
/dos i kwaɾenta i θinko/from spelling rules
The English phrase "two forty-five" is expressed in Spanish as dos y cuarenta y cinco.
This phrase is a literal way to state the time as two hours and forty-five minutes. If you wish to specify that it is two forty-five in the morning, you can add de la mañana to the end.
Which one should you use?
While dos y cuarenta y cinco is a literal way to express this time, native speakers more commonly use las tres menos cuarto (a quarter to three).
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are stating the time in a full sentence, you must use the feminine plural article las before the hour, such as in las dos y cuarenta y cinco.
How do you pronounce it?
/dos i kwaɾenta i θinko/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often forget to include the article las when stating the time. In Spanish, the hour requires it, for example, Son las dos y cuarenta y cinco.
Did you know?
- The word cinco is a linguistic 'doublet' of the word ponche, meaning they both evolved from the same ancient root even though they look different.
- In Mexico and parts of Latin America, you might hear the phrase quince para las tres to express this time. This literally translates to 'fifteen for three'.
- Spanish uses the feminine plural article las because the word for 'hours' (horas) is implied even when it is not spoken.
Examples in context
- Son las dos y cuarenta y cinco.It is two forty-five.
- La cita es a las dos y cuarenta y cinco.The appointment is at two forty-five.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are checking the schedule for a bus.
- Lucía¿A qué hora sale el autobús, Daniel?What time does the bus leave, Daniel?
- DanielSale a las dos y cuarenta y cinco.It leaves at two forty-five.
- Lucía¡Es muy pronto!That is very soon!
- DanielSí, 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 cinco, cuarenta, dos, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
