How to Say Time in Spanish | MostUsedWords.com
Are you planning a trip to a Spanish-speaking country and wondering how to ask for the time in Spanish? Or are you simply curious about expressing time-related concepts in this vibrant language? You've come to the right place! In this article, we will cover everything from basic vocabulary to cultural nuances related to time expressions in Spanish.
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What is "Time" in Spanish?
The word for "time" in Spanish is "tiempo" (IPA: /ˈtjempo/). It can be used to refer to the duration of an event, the current hour or minute, and as a general concept. Additionally, there are other words that convey time-related concepts:
- Hora (IPA: /ˈo.ɾa/): This word specifically refers to the hour or time of day. For example, "Son las tres de la tarde" means "It's three o'clock in the afternoon".
- Momento (IPA: /mo.ˈmen.to/): Translated as "moment" or "instant", this word can be used to describe a specific point in time, such as "En este momento" meaning "At this moment".
- Duración (IPA: /du.ɾa.ˈθjon/): This term refers to the length or duration of something, like "La duración de la película es de dos horas", which means "The movie is two hours long".
How to Ask for Time in Spanish
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The Spanish Frequency Dictionary series covers the 10,000 most common Spanish words — ranked by how often native speakers actually use them, with IPA pronunciation, English translations, and bilingual example sentences at every level.
Browse all 4 volumes →To ask what time it is in Spanish, you would say "¿Qué hora es?" Here are some other useful phrases:
- What time is it?
- I don't have enough time.
- Time flies when you're having fun.
(¿Qué hora es?)
(No tengo suficiente tiempo.)
(El tiempo vuela cuando te diviertes.)
Cultural Aspects of Time in Spanish-Speaking Countries
Punctuality varies across different regions. In some countries, such as Spain and Mexico, people are more relaxed about time and may be late for appointments without feeling rushed. However, in other places like Argentina or Chile, punctuality is highly valued.
Regional Differences in Time Expressions
Spanish has regional variations when it comes to expressing time:
- Mexico: While "tiempo" and "hora" are commonly used, you might also hear expressions like "¿Qué hora es?" or "Dame la hora".
- Latin America (e.g., Argentina, Uruguay): People often use the word "reloj" (IPA: /ˈre.lox/), meaning clock or watch. For example, "¿Qué hora marca el reloj?" translates to "What time does the clock show?"
- Spain: The term "cronómetro" (IPA: /kɾo.ˈno.me.tɾo/), meaning stopwatch or timer, is occasionally used.
Common Idioms Related to Time in Spanish
Spanish has many idiomatic expressions related to time:
- No hay tiempo que perder. (There's no time to waste.)
- Tenemos poco tiempo. (We have little time.)
- Dame un momento de tu tiempo. (Give me a moment of your time.)
How to Say Time in Spanish: Sample Sentences
Here are five sample sentences on how to say "time" in various contexts:
- What time is it?
- I don't have enough time.
- The movie is two hours long.
- Time flies when you're having fun.
- Please set the clock back an hour.
(¿Qué hora es?)
(No tengo suficiente tiempo.)
(La duración de la película es de dos horas.)
(El tiempo vuela cuando te diviertes.)
(Por favor, pon la hora una hora atrás.).
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