a qué hora es
/a ke oɾa es/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "what time something is" is a qué hora es.
Use a qué hora es when you want to ask about the scheduled time of a specific event. This is different from asking for the current time of day.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase a qué hora es literally translates to "at what hour is it".
Which one should you use?
While a qué hora es is used to inquire about an event's scheduled time, you should use ¿Qué hora es? if you are asking for the current time of day.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, people often use the term y cuarto to refer to fifteen minutes past the hour. In many Latin American countries, particularly Mexico and Central America, it is common to use the 12-hour clock system, such as in the phrase Son las ocho y diez de la noche (It's eight ten in the evening).
How do you pronounce it?
/a ke oɾa es/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word hora traces its roots back to the Ancient Greek word ὥρᾱ, which originally referred to a season or a division of time rather than just sixty minutes.
- While a qué hora es asks for a schedule, Spanish speakers often use the verb quedar to arrange the time, meaning they 'stay' or 'agree' on a specific hour.
- In formal Spanish invitations, the time is often written using the 24-hour clock, even though people will still use the 12-hour clock when speaking the phrase a qué hora es aloud.
Examples in context
- ¿A qué hora es la reunión?At what time is the meeting?
- Son las dos y cuartoIt's two fifteen.
- ¿A qué hora es la fiesta?What time is the party?
- ¿A qué hora es la clase?What time is the class?
- ¿A qué hora es el partido hoy?What time is the game today?
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are talking about a concert.
- SofíaJavier, ¿a qué hora es el concierto?Javier, what time is the concert?
- JavierEs a las ocho de la noche.It is at eight in the evening.
- SofíaPerfecto, nos vemos allí.Perfect, see you there.
- Javier¡Hasta luego, Sofía!See you later, Sofía!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, es, hora, qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
