¿a qué hora vienes?
The English phrase "what time are you coming?" is translated into Spanish as ¿a qué hora vienes?
This phrase is used to ask someone at what specific time they will arrive. You may also use the variation ¿Vienes a qué hora? to ask the same question.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase translates literally as at what hour do you come?
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, the present tense form vienes is commonly used for near-future plans. However, you can also use the future tense form ¿a qué hora vendrás? to ask what time someone will come. To address someone using the formal "you", change the verb form to ¿a qué hora viene usted? Finally, if you are asking a group of people, use the form vienen.
Did you know?
- When asking ¿a qué hora vienes?, a respondent in some Latin American countries might answer with ahorita. Depending on the local culture, this can mean anything from 'in a few seconds' to 'sometime today' or even 'never'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, asking ¿a qué hora vienes? might result in an answer like 'a las ocho', but the person may not actually arrive until nine or ten.
- The word qué in the phrase ¿a qué hora vienes? is derived from the Latin word quid, which is the same root used for the English word 'quid' meaning a pound sterling in British slang.
Examples in context
- ¿A qué hora vienen?What time are you all coming?
- ¿Por favor, a qué hora vienes?Please, what time are you coming?
Example conversation
Daniel calls Sofía to coordinate their plans for dinner.
- DanielHola Sofía, ¿a qué hora vienes?Hello Sofía, what time are you coming?
- SofíaEstaré allí a las ocho.I will be there at eight.
- DanielPerfecto, te espero en el restaurante.Perfect, I will wait for you at the restaurant.
- SofíaNos vemos pronto, Daniel.See you soon, Daniel.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, hora, qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
