¿a qué hora sales del trabajo?
In Spanish, the phrase "what time do you get off?" is expressed as ¿a qué hora sales del trabajo?
This phrase is used to ask someone what time they finish their work day. In casual conversation, native speakers often omit del trabajo (from work) if the context of the workday is already understood, using only ¿A qué hora sales? to mean "at what time do you leave?" Another common alternative is to use the verb terminar (to finish) instead of salir (to leave), such as in ¿a qué hora terminas?
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ¿a qué hora sales del trabajo? is built from a qué hora (at what hour), sales (you leave) and del trabajo (from the work).
Which one should you use?
There are several ways to ask this depending on the level of formality and the specific meaning desired. The colloquial version ¿A qué hora sales? is a shortened way to ask when someone gets off work or finishes an activity. For an informal tone, you can use ¿Cuándo terminas de trabajar? to ask "When do you finish working?" Formal alternatives include ¿A qué hora termina su jornada laboral?, ¿A qué hora acaba su jornada? or ¿A qué hora finaliza su horario de trabajo? to inquire about a specific work schedule or workday end.
Did you know?
- While salir means 'to leave' in this phrase, it is also the standard verb used to ask if someone is 'dating' another person.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the concept of the 'workday' is viewed as a jornada, a term that historically referred to a day's journey on foot.
- In Spain, if you ask ¿A qué hora sales? during the middle of the day, the person might assume you mean when they finish their midday break rather than their whole shift.
Examples in context
- Suelo salir a las 6 de la tarde.I usually leave at 6 in the evening
- Dime, ¿a qué hora sales del trabajo?Tell me, what time do you get off work?
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are planning to have dinner together.
- MateoElena, ¿a qué hora sales del trabajo?Elena, what time do you get off work?
- ElenaSuelo salir a las seis.I usually get off at six.
- MateoPerfecto, nos vemos en el restaurante.Perfect, I'll see you at the restaurant.
- ElenaVale, ¡hasta luego!Okay, see you later!
