1.5.1 Expressions of time - an introduction
If not taking into account the regional differences and the possibilities that are offered by the English language and just have a look at the system of rules it is quite clear and simple. We have the morning (a.m.) and the afternoon (p.m.) and the time is given by adding minutes (or parts of an hour) to the hour.
It's 10.15 a.m.
It's 5.50 p.m.
It's 5.50 p.m.
Of course then there are the possibilities to say
it is a quarter past 10 a.m.
it is ten minutes to five p.m.
it is ten minutes to five p.m.
Well, in any case between the whole hour and half past usually past is used to give the time.
Between half past the hour and the next full hour it is x minutes to the full hour.
Between half past the hour and the next full hour it is x minutes to the full hour.
The Spanish system is following more or less the same logic.
1.5.2 Expressions of time
The Spaniard counts the full hour and adds the time that has gone after the full hours (until 30 minutes past the full hour) or subtracts the minutes (from the 31st minute) until the next full hour.
Son las diez y quince.
Son las seis menos diez.
Son las seis menos diez.
If it's not clear the times of the day is added:
Times of the day
de la mañana = in the morning
de la madrugada = in the early morning hours
de la tarde = in the afternoon
de la noche = in the evening
de la madrugada = in the early morning hours
de la tarde = in the afternoon
de la noche = in the evening
The following table shows the logic of the Spanish system of expressions of time. The blue words are not actually part of the phrases, they are only given to better understanding the logic. The time (that would be spoken in a real situation is written in red).
| Son / Es | full hour | addition / subtraction to the full hour | time digitally | in words (direct translation) | time of day |
| Son | las trece horas |
menos quince minutos |
12:45 p.m. | (it) is 13 hours minus 15 minutes | |
| Es | la una hora |
y cinco minutos |
1:05 a.m. | (It) is one hour and five minutes | de la madrugada |
| Son | las tres horas |
menos quince minutos |
2:45 p.m. | (It) is three hours minus 15 minutes | de la tarde |
| Eran | las cinco horas |
menos veinticinco minutos |
4:35 p.m. | (It) was five minus 25 minutes | de la tarde |
| Era | la una hora |
y veinte minutos |
1:20 a.m. | (It) was one hour and twenty minutes | de la madrugada |
| Son | las tres horas |
y cuarto |
3:15 p.m | (It) is three hours and a quarter | de la tarde |
| Son | las cuatro horas |
y media |
4:30 p.m. | (It) is four hours and a half | de la tarde |
| Son | las nueve horas |
y media |
9:30 p.m. | (It) is nine hours and a half | de la noche |
| Son | las diez horas |
y cuarto |
10:15 a.m. | (It) is ten hours and a quarter | de la mañana |
The verb ser is used for expressions of time. Here is changed in number according to the count of number. The article is also used in the right number. Since the article has the (not spoken word) hora/s in mind it is always la/las.
Time
 |
Son las cuatro y cuarto. = It's a quarter past four. Son las cuatro y cuarto de la tarde. = It's a quarter past four in the afternoon. Son las cuatro y cuarto de la madrugada. = It's a quarter past four in the early morning. Son las dieciséis y cuarto. = It's 4.15 p.m. |
 |
Son las seis. = It's six o'clock. Son las seis de la tarde. = It's six in the afternoon. Son las seis de la mañana. = It's six in the morning. Son las dieciocho. = It's 6 p.m. |
 |
Son las tres. = It's three o'clock. Son las tres de la tarde. = It's three o'clock in the afternoon. Son las tres de la madrugada. = It's three o'clock in the early morning. Son las quince. = It's 3 p.m |
 |
Son las cinco menos cuarto. = It's a quarter to five. Son las cinco menos cuarto de la madrugada. = It's a quarter to five in the early morning. Son las cinco menos cuarto de la tarde. = It's a quarter to five in the afternoon. Son las cinco menos cuarto. = It's 4.45 p.m. |
 |
Son las siete y media. = It's half past seven. Son las siete y media de la mañana. = It's half past seven in the morning. Son las siete y media de la noche. = It's half past seven in the evening. Son las diecinueve y media. = It's 7.30 p.m. |
 |
Son las nueve. = It's nine o'clock. Son las nueve de la mañana. = It's nine o'clock in the morning. Son las nueve de la noche. = It's nine o'clock in the evening. Son las veintiuna. = It's 9 p.m. |
 |
Son las diez y veinte. = It's 20 past ten. Son las diez y veinte de la mañana. = It's 20 past ten in the morning. Son las diez y veinte de la noche. = It's 20 past ten at night. Son las veintidos y veinte. = It's 10.20 p.m. |
 |
Son las once y diecisiete. = It's 17 past 11. Son las once y diecisiete de la mañana. = It's 17 past 11 in the morning. Son las once y diecisiete de la noche. = It's 17 past 11 at night. |
 |
Son las tres menos veinte. = It's 20 to three. Son las tres menos veinte de la tarde. = It's 20 to three in the afternoon. Son las tres menos veinte de la madrugada. = It's 20 to three in the early morning. Son las quince menos veinte. = It's 2.40 p.m. |
 |
Son las tres menos diez. = It's ten to three. Son las tres menos diez de la madrugada. = It's ten to three in the early morning. Son las tres menos diez de la tarde. = It's ten to three in the afternoon. Son las quince menos diez. = It's 2.50 p.m. |
 |
Son las doce menos cinco. = It's five to twelve. Son las doce menos cinco de la mañana. = It's five to twelve in the morning. Son las doce menos cinco de la noche. = It's five to twelve at night. Son las veinticuatro menos cinco. = It's 11.55 p.m. |
 |
Son las ocho menos cuarto. = It's a quarter to eight. Son las ocho menos cuarto de la mañana. = It's a quarter to eight in the morning. Son las ocho menos cuarto de la tarde. = It's a quarter to eight in the evening. Son las veinte menos cuarto. = It's 7.45 p.m. |
1.5.3 Asking the time
Asking the time
¿Qué hora es? = What time is it? (What hour is it?)
Very often we need to know until when something is going to last or from when on something happens or from when to when. Then the prepositions come into the game again.
Asking the time with prepositions
¿Hasta qué hora dura la fiesta? = Until when goes the party?
¿Hasta qué hora puedo llamar? = Until when can I call you?
¿Hasta qué hora se sirve el desayuno? = Until when breakfast is served?
(alternative: ¿Hasta cuándo dura la fiesta?)
¿A qué hora sale el tren para Madrid? = When does the train leave for Madrid?
¿A qué hora vuelven de la piscina? = When do they come back from the swimming pool?
¿A qué hora puedo encontrar a alguien en el chat? = When can I find somebody in the chat.
(alternative: ¿Cuándo puedo encontrar alguien en el chat?)
¿Desde qué hora trabaja? = Since when does he work?
¿Desde qué hora hasta qué hora trabaja? = From when until when does he work?
¿Desde qué hora quedarán cerrados los locales que venden bebidas alcohólicas? = From when on the shops for alcoholic drinks are closed?
¿Desde qué hora estamos acá parados? = Since when have we been standing here?
(alternative: ¿Desde cuándo trabaja?)
¿Para qué hora deberías reservar tu vuelo? = For when do you need to book your flight?
¿Para qué hora los quiere? = For when do you want them?
¿Para qué hora necesita el informe? = Until when do you need the report?
¿Para qué hora pones el despertador? = For when do you set the alarm clock?
(alternative: ¿Para cuándo deberías reservar tu vuelo?)
¿Hasta qué hora puedo llamar? = Until when can I call you?
¿Hasta qué hora se sirve el desayuno? = Until when breakfast is served?
(alternative: ¿Hasta cuándo dura la fiesta?)
¿A qué hora sale el tren para Madrid? = When does the train leave for Madrid?
¿A qué hora vuelven de la piscina? = When do they come back from the swimming pool?
¿A qué hora puedo encontrar a alguien en el chat? = When can I find somebody in the chat.
(alternative: ¿Cuándo puedo encontrar alguien en el chat?)
¿Desde qué hora trabaja? = Since when does he work?
¿Desde qué hora hasta qué hora trabaja? = From when until when does he work?
¿Desde qué hora quedarán cerrados los locales que venden bebidas alcohólicas? = From when on the shops for alcoholic drinks are closed?
¿Desde qué hora estamos acá parados? = Since when have we been standing here?
(alternative: ¿Desde cuándo trabaja?)
¿Para qué hora deberías reservar tu vuelo? = For when do you need to book your flight?
¿Para qué hora los quiere? = For when do you want them?
¿Para qué hora necesita el informe? = Until when do you need the report?
¿Para qué hora pones el despertador? = For when do you set the alarm clock?
(alternative: ¿Para cuándo deberías reservar tu vuelo?)
1.5.4 Expressions of time with prepositions
The same like with asking for time with prepositions expressions of time with prepositions is very common.
Some examples
Él no vendrá antes de las seis. = He doesn't come before six.
Desde las tres hasta las seis hace la siesta. = From three to four he takes a nap.
Estará en casa hasta las diecisiete y treinta. = Until 5.30 p.m. he will be home.
Después de las seis de la tarde no encontrarás a nadie. = After 6 p.m. you won't find anybody.
La pélicula comienza a las 8 de la noche. = The film starts at eight o'clock in the evening.
Desde las tres hasta las seis hace la siesta. = From three to four he takes a nap.
Estará en casa hasta las diecisiete y treinta. = Until 5.30 p.m. he will be home.
Después de las seis de la tarde no encontrarás a nadie. = After 6 p.m. you won't find anybody.
La pélicula comienza a las 8 de la noche. = The film starts at eight o'clock in the evening.
1.5.5 Expressions of date
Except for some little specialties giving of date really easy.
Giving the date in Spanish is quite easy. Even though there are some specialities to be taken into account.
Example
Hoy es jueves, siete de abril de dos mil dos. = Today is Thursday, April 7 2002.
Hoy es jueves, 7 de abril de 2002. = Today is Thursday, 7th of April 2002.
Hoy es jueves, 7 de abril de 2002. = Today is Thursday, 7th of April 2002.
1.5.6 Expressions of date
The dates with preposition do not differ too much from the English system:
Examples with el
Tengo cumpleaños el 21 de julio. = My birthday is the 21st of July. (I have my birthday July the 21st)
El primero de mayo es un día de fiesta. = The first of May is a public holiday.
Tienes que reservar el 18 de octubre para mí. = You have to make my reservation on the 18th of October.
El primero de mayo es un día de fiesta. = The first of May is a public holiday.
Tienes que reservar el 18 de octubre para mí. = You have to make my reservation on the 18th of October.
Is the date used in connection with a preposition, the basic form is used (with the article el, which refers to the months [= masculine]). If the preposition is de or a then they are merged to del and al.
Example with el and del
A partir del quince de agosto estaré de vacaciones.
= From the 15th of August, I will be on vacation.
Hasta el veintiuno de julio todo tiene que estar terminado.
= Until the 21st of July, everything has to be finished.
Desde el doce de julio hasta el treinta de agosto no estoy en la oficina.
= From the twelfth of July until the 30th of August, I am not in the office.
Después del veintidós de mayo no haré nada.
= After the 22nd of May, I will not do anything.
No va a venir antes del 28 de febrero.
= Before the 28th of February he will not come.
= From the 15th of August, I will be on vacation.
Hasta el veintiuno de julio todo tiene que estar terminado.
= Until the 21st of July, everything has to be finished.
Desde el doce de julio hasta el treinta de agosto no estoy en la oficina.
= From the twelfth of July until the 30th of August, I am not in the office.
Después del veintidós de mayo no haré nada.
= After the 22nd of May, I will not do anything.
No va a venir antes del 28 de febrero.
= Before the 28th of February he will not come.
1.5.7 Months
The months of the year
enero = January
febrero = February
marzo = March
abril = April
mayo = May
junio = June
julio = July
agosto = August
septiembre = September
octubre = October
noviembre = November
diciembre = December
febrero = February
marzo = March
abril = April
mayo = May
junio = June
julio = July
agosto = August
septiembre = September
octubre = October
noviembre = November
diciembre = December
1.5.8 Expression of dates with years
In English the years before the year 2000 were read in centuries. In Spanish the year is to be read like a normal number.
Example
He was born March 13, 1948.
correct: He was born March thirteen in nineteen (hundred) forty eight
incorrect: He was born March thirteen in thousand nine hundred forty eight
correct: He was born March thirteen in nineteen (hundred) forty eight
incorrect: He was born March thirteen in thousand nine hundred forty eight
Since the turn of the century this system has been changed to the one reading the figure itself.
Example
He was born May 15, 2002.
correct: He was born May fifteen two thousand and two.
incorrect: He was born May fifteen twenty hundred and two.
correct: He was born May fifteen two thousand and two.
incorrect: He was born May fifteen twenty hundred and two.
As just mentioned the Spanish has always used the number (not the century) to express years in dates.
Example
written:
He was born 14 May 1973.
Nació el 14 de mayo de 1973.
spoken:
He was born fourteenth of May in nineteen (hundred) seventy three.
Nació el veinte de octubr de mil novecientos setenta y tres.
written:
He was born 28th of April 2002.
Nació el 28 de abril de 2002.
spoken:
He was born twenty eighth of April in two thousand and two.
Nació el veintiocho de abril de dos mil dos.
He was born 14 May 1973.
Nació el 14 de mayo de 1973.
spoken:
He was born fourteenth of May in nineteen (hundred) seventy three.
Nació el veinte de octubr de mil novecientos setenta y tres.
written:
He was born 28th of April 2002.
Nació el 28 de abril de 2002.
spoken:
He was born twenty eighth of April in two thousand and two.
Nació el veintiocho de abril de dos mil dos.
1.5.9 weekdays
Expressions of date often include also the weekday.
Example
He comes Sunday 20 June, 2004.
He stays until Monday 29 February, 2004.
He stays until Monday 29 February, 2004.
Again the Spanish logic is the same as the English
Examples
Las personas que no se hayan inscrito todavía, lo podrán hacer hasta el jueves 2 de octubre 2003.
= The persons that have not yet registered yet can do that until Thursday 2nd of October 2003.
El concurso se llevará a cabo a partir del próximo lunes 31 de marzo hasta el jueves 2 de abril.
= The exam is carried out starting next Monday 31 March until Thursday 2nd of April.
El fútbol español estará de vacaciones hasta el jueves 2 de enero.
= The Spanish soccer is on vacation from Thursday January 2nd.
Desde el martes 17 de octubre de 2000 hasta el jueves 2 de noviembre de 2000 se presentarán en la casa de la cultura obras de artesanía
= From Tuesday October 17th, 2000 on until Thursday 2 November arts and crafts are shown in the "house of cultures".
= The persons that have not yet registered yet can do that until Thursday 2nd of October 2003.
El concurso se llevará a cabo a partir del próximo lunes 31 de marzo hasta el jueves 2 de abril.
= The exam is carried out starting next Monday 31 March until Thursday 2nd of April.
El fútbol español estará de vacaciones hasta el jueves 2 de enero.
= The Spanish soccer is on vacation from Thursday January 2nd.
Desde el martes 17 de octubre de 2000 hasta el jueves 2 de noviembre de 2000 se presentarán en la casa de la cultura obras de artesanía
= From Tuesday October 17th, 2000 on until Thursday 2 November arts and crafts are shown in the "house of cultures".
1.5.10 Weekdays
Weekdays are masculine. (el lunes, el martes etc.)
Example
lunes = Monday
martes = Tuesday
miércoles = Wednesday
jueves = Thursday
viernes = Friday
sábado = Saturday
domingo = Sunday
martes = Tuesday
miércoles = Wednesday
jueves = Thursday
viernes = Friday
sábado = Saturday
domingo = Sunday
1.5.11 Expressions of time in centuries and decades
Quite often you'll find expressions like this
El siglo veinte era la época de las guerras y de la estupidez.
Adorno formuló la frase: La historia es una máquina infernal.
= The 20th century was the era of wars and of stupidity.
Adorno formulated the phrase: The history is an infernal machine.
Parece que en el siglo veintiuno (vigésimo primero) la humanidad se vuelve razonable. Con un poco de suerte será la época de las Naciones Unidas.
= In the 21st century, it seems that man kind became reasonable. With a bit of luck it will be the era of the UN.
En los años sesenta y setenta se puso de moda la música rock.
= In the sixties and seventies rock music became fashion.
Adorno formuló la frase: La historia es una máquina infernal.
= The 20th century was the era of wars and of stupidity.
Adorno formulated the phrase: The history is an infernal machine.
Parece que en el siglo veintiuno (vigésimo primero) la humanidad se vuelve razonable. Con un poco de suerte será la época de las Naciones Unidas.
= In the 21st century, it seems that man kind became reasonable. With a bit of luck it will be the era of the UN.
En los años sesenta y setenta se puso de moda la música rock.
= In the sixties and seventies rock music became fashion.
Here we have something rather absurd if you think about it. With the centuries we count the upper limit, with the decades we count the lower limit. However, it is probably better not to think about it since it is the same in Spanish and in English.
Examples
el siglo veintidós
= the 22nd century
el siglo diecinueve
= the 19th century
El siglo veinte era la época de la barbaridad
= The 20th century was the barbaric era.
Los años noventa no eran tan espectaculares como los años sesenta o setenta.
= The nineties were not as spectacular as the sixties or the seventies.
La expresión "los dorados años veinte" es engañosa
= The expression "the golden twenties" is deceiving.
= the 22nd century
el siglo diecinueve
= the 19th century
El siglo veinte era la época de la barbaridad
= The 20th century was the barbaric era.
Los años noventa no eran tan espectaculares como los años sesenta o setenta.
= The nineties were not as spectacular as the sixties or the seventies.
La expresión "los dorados años veinte" es engañosa
= The expression "the golden twenties" is deceiving.
1.5.12 Seasons
Expressions of time and date can also refer to seasons
En otoño las hojas de los árboles se caen.
= In autumn the leafs of the trees fall down.
En verano voy a nadar.
= In summer I go swimming.
Hasta el invierno todo tendrá que estar terminado.
= Until winter it has to be finished.
A partir de otoño no tendremos dinero.
= From autumn on, we do not have money.
= In autumn the leafs of the trees fall down.
En verano voy a nadar.
= In summer I go swimming.
Hasta el invierno todo tendrá que estar terminado.
= Until winter it has to be finished.
A partir de otoño no tendremos dinero.
= From autumn on, we do not have money.
In connection with prepositions the logic is - once again - the same as in English.
preposition (+ article) + season
The article can be used but it's no must. Google's statistics indicates that it is often used in Spanish.
The four seasons
| el otoño = autumn el invierno = winter la primavera = spring el verano = summer |
|
Examples
En (el) otoño comienza a hacer frío.
= In (the) autumn it starts to get cold.
Hasta el invierno tenemos que terminar.
= Until the winter we have to be finished.
La mejor época para ponerse la vacuna contra la gripe es a comienzos del otoño.
= The best period to get a vaccination against the flue is the beginning of the autumn.
La caza esta permitida por lo general desde el otoño hasta el invierno.
= In general hunting is allowed from autumn to winter.
De Robien confirma que la privatización de Air France será a partir del verano o del otoño.
= De Robien confirms that the privatisation of Air France will be from summer or autumn on.
Esto cambió a partir del verano del 2000.
= This changed from the summer 2000 on.
= In (the) autumn it starts to get cold.
Hasta el invierno tenemos que terminar.
= Until the winter we have to be finished.
La mejor época para ponerse la vacuna contra la gripe es a comienzos del otoño.
= The best period to get a vaccination against the flue is the beginning of the autumn.
La caza esta permitida por lo general desde el otoño hasta el invierno.
= In general hunting is allowed from autumn to winter.
De Robien confirma que la privatización de Air France será a partir del verano o del otoño.
= De Robien confirms that the privatisation of Air France will be from summer or autumn on.
Esto cambió a partir del verano del 2000.
= This changed from the summer 2000 on.