Telling Time in Spanish

Introduction

• Objective: Learn how to tell time in Spanish.
• Key Components: Use of the verb "ser" (to be) and numbers.

Asking for Time

• Phrase: "¿Qué hora es?" (What time is it?)
  • Literally means "What hour is it?"

Telling the Hour

• On the Hour:
  • "Es la una" (It's one o'clock)
  • "Son las [number]" for two o'clock and beyond (e.g., "Son las dos" for two o'clock)
  • Plural form is used for hours beyond one.
• Midday and Midnight:
  • "Es mediodía" (It's midday)
  • "Es medianoche" (It's midnight)

Adding Minutes

• Basic Structure: Use "y" (and) followed by the number of minutes.
  • Examples:
    • "Es la una y diez" (It's one ten)
    • "Son las dos y veinte" (It's two twenty)
    • "Son las cuatro y treinta y cinco" (It's four thirty-five)
• Special Cases:
  • Fifteen Minutes:
    • "y quince" or "y cuarto" (quarter)
    • E.g., "Son las cinco y cuarto" (It's five fifteen)
  • Thirty Minutes:
    • "y treinta" or "y media" (and a half)
    • E.g., "Son las cuatro y media" (It's four thirty)
  • Note: "media" is only for exactly thirty minutes past.

Indicating Part of the Day

• In the Morning, Afternoon, Evening:
  • "de la madrugada" (in the early morning)
  • "de la mañana" (in the morning)
  • "de la tarde" (in the afternoon)
  • "de la noche" (in the evening)
• Usage:
  • These phrases are used only when telling time.
  • For general statements, use "en la..." or "por la..."

Examples

• "Son las tres y diecisiete de la madrugada" (It's 3:17 in the early morning)
• "Son las dos de la tarde" (It's 2:00 PM)
• "Son las seis de la mañana" (It's 6:00 AM)
• "Son las once y treinta de la noche" (It's 11:30 PM)

Conclusion

• Encouragement to ask questions and comment.
• Invitation to subscribe for more lessons.
• Suggestion to practice by watching related videos.