What is what time is it in spanish?

The way you ask "What time is it?" in Spanish depends slightly on the level of formality. Here's a breakdown:

  • ¿Qué hora es? (Kay ORA ess?) - This is the most common and generally accepted way to ask "What time is it?" It's suitable for most situations and levels of formality.

  • ¿Qué hora son? (Kay ORA son?) - This is also grammatically correct and means the same thing. The use of "son" (they are) instead of "es" (it is) is sometimes used, particularly when referring to the time expressed as o'clock, even though we're talking about a singular concept. It's less common than "¿Qué hora es?".

Telling the time:

Spanish uses a 24-hour clock system as well as the 12-hour system. Here are some examples:

  • 1:00: La una (la OO-na) - literally "the one"

  • 2:00: Las dos (las DOS) - literally "the two" (note the use of "las" for plural)

  • 3:00: Las tres (las TRES)

  • ...and so on...

  • 10:00: Las diez (las DIES)

  • 11:00: Las once (las ON-say)

  • 12:00: Las doce (las DO-thay) - At noon and midnight

After the hour:

  • 1:15: La una y cuarto (la OO-na ee KWAR-to) - "one and a quarter"
  • 1:30: La una y media (la OO-na ee MAY-dee-a) - "one and a half"
  • 1:45: Las dos menos cuarto (las DOS MEH-nos KWAR-to) - "two minus a quarter" (This is a common way to say "quarter to" in Spanish)

24-hour clock (used less frequently in casual speech but common in schedules and formal settings):

  • 13:00 (1 p.m.): Las trece (las TREH-thay)
  • 14:00 (2 p.m.): Las catorce (las ka-TOR-thay)
  • 21:00 (9 p.m.): Las veintiuna (las bayn-tee-OO-na)
  • 22:00 (10 p.m.): Las veintidós (las bayn-tee-DOS)

Remember to pronounce the words with the correct stress and intonation for natural-sounding Spanish.