Telling Time
In Spanish the verb ser is used to tell time. Because time is normally plural (2,3,4,...), the 3rd person plural is used.
- ¿Qué hora es? - What time is it?
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- Son las seis. - It's 6 o'clock.
- Son las dos y media. - It's 2:30.
- One o'clock is singular so the 3rd person singular of ser is used.
- ¿Qué hora es? - What time is it?
- Es la una y cuarto. - It's 1:15.
- Es la una. - It's 1 o'clock.
- Es medio día. - It's 12pm.
- Es media noche. - It's 12am.
- When talking about a specific event, you should respond using the singular form of ser.
- ¿A qué hora es la reunión?
- Es a la una. - It's 1 o'clock.
- Es a las seis de la tarde.
To express 15 minutes before the hour, we say the time less 15.
For example,
Son las 10 menos cuarto. - It's 9:45. (10 less 15)
Important Vocabulary