When learning a new language, understanding how to express the time correctly is essential. In this guide, we will explore different ways to say what time something starts in Spanish. We’ll cover both formal and informal approaches, and although regional variations exist, we will focus on the standard Spanish used across countries. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions
When speaking formally or addressing people in professional settings, it is important to use appropriate language and expressions. Here are a few formal ways to indicate the starting time in Spanish:
1. Utilizing “A qué hora”
To ask “What time does something start?” formally, you can use the expression “A qué hora” followed by the verb “empieza” (starts) or “comienza” (begins). For example:
“¿A qué hora empieza la reunión?” (What time does the meeting start?)
“¿A qué hora comienza la conferencia?” (What time does the conference begin?)
In the responses, you can replace the verb with the actual starting time. For instance:
“La reunión empieza a las dos” (The meeting starts at two)
“La conferencia comienza a las nueve de la mañana” (The conference begins at nine in the morning)
Informal Expressions
Informal situations allow for a more relaxed tone and lighter expressions. Here are a few ways to ask and answer what time something starts informally:
1. Using “A qué hora”
Similarly to the formal expression, you can use “A qué hora” informally to ask “What time does something start?”. However, instead of formal verbs like “empieza” or “comienza,” informal verbs like “arranca” (kicks off) or “empieza” can be used. For example:
“A qué hora arranca la película?” (What time does the movie kick off?)
“A qué hora empieza el concierto?” (What time does the concert start?)
Similarly, in the responses, you can replace the verb with the actual starting time:
“La película arranca a las ocho de la noche” (The movie kicks off at eight in the evening)
“El concierto empieza a las nueve y media” (The concert starts at half past nine)
Tips and Examples
Now that we have seen formal and informal expressions, let’s go through a few tips and additional examples to improve your understanding:
Tips:
- Always use the appropriate level of formality based on the setting and the person you are speaking to.
- Remember to conjugate the verbs correctly to match the subject and time of the event.
- Consider using specific phrases such as “a la(s)” or “de la(s)” before stating the time for added clarity.
- Pay attention to regional variations, as vocabulary and accents can vary, but the general structures provided will be understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
Additional Examples:
Here are a few more sentences that can help you express the starting time in Spanish:
- “¿A qué hora empieza la clase de español?” (What time does the Spanish class start?)
- “¿A qué hora comienza el partido de fútbol?” (What time does the soccer game begin?)
- “¿A qué hora arranca la obra de teatro?” (What time does the theater play kick off?)
- “El curso empieza a las diez de la mañana” (The course starts at ten in the morning)
- “El partido comienza a las tres de la tarde” (The game begins at three in the afternoon)
- “La obra de teatro arranca a las nueve y cuarto de la noche” (The theater play kicks off at a quarter past nine in the evening)
By using the above expressions and examples, you’ll be able to confidently communicate the starting time of events in Spanish, both formally and informally.
Remember to practice these phrases regularly to internalize them and improve your fluency. Happy learning!
