Spanish Time expressions

Time Expression in English

To tell time in English:

*The subject is time. (The time is 2:00. / It is 2:00.)

*The verb form is always is (in the present tense).​

​

Time Expressions in Spanish

To tell time in Spanish:

*The subject is the hour.

*The verb form must agree with the number of hours you say.

​*The verb used is a form of ser.

*The noun hora is feminine, so all numerical times are ​feminine as well.

When the number of hours is greater than 1

*Use the 3rd person plural form of ser (son)​.

*Use the feminine plural definite article (las).

*Use the number of the hour.

​

Example:​ It's 2:00. = Son las dos.

When the number of hours is 1

*Use the 3rd person singular form of ser (es)​.

*Use the feminine singular definite article (la).

*Use the feminine form of the number one (una).

​

Example:​ It's 1:00. = Es la una.

Adding minutes after the hour

*After saying the number for the hour, add the word for and (y), then say the number of minutes after the hour.

*You can also say cuarto (quarter) at 15 minutes and media (half) and 30 minutes.

​Example:​ It's 11:26. = Son las once y veintiséis.

Subtracting minutes from the next hour

*After saying the number for the next hour, add the word for minus (menos), then say the number of minutes before the hour.

*Make sure to use the correct time expression (Son las/Es la) based on the number you are saying for the hour (i.e., the next hour).

​Example:​ It's 12:54./It's 6 minutes before 1. = Es la una menos seis.

​

This can be done when there are less than 30 minutes before the hour.​