2.2.5

What Time Is It?

Test yourself

¿Qué hora es? - What Time Is It?

Illustrative background for Es or SonIllustrative background for Es or Son ?? "content

Es or Son

  • There are only three times when you use 'es' for talking about time
  • Midday, midnight and one o'clock are all singular.
    • Es la una - it is one o'clock.
    • Es el mediodía - it is midday.
    • Es la medianoche - it is midnight.
  • For all other times, you use 'son'.
    • Son las tres - it is three o'clock.
Illustrative background for PastIllustrative background for Past ?? "content

Past

  • To say it is 'something past' you need to use 'y'.
  • 'Y' means 'and', so you are literally saying that is is, for example, 'two' and 'twenty minutes'.
    • Son las cuatro y media - It is half past four.
    • Son las ocho y cuarto - It is quarter past eight.
    • Son las cuatro y veinte - it is twenty past four.
Illustrative background for ToIllustrative background for To ?? "content

To

  • To say it is 'something to' you need to use the word 'menos'.
  • It is like saying the hour minus however many minutes.
    • Es la una menos cinco - It is 5 to one.
    • Son las dos menos cuarto - it is quarter to two.
Illustrative background for At ... o'clockIllustrative background for At ... o'clock ?? "content

At ... o'clock

  • To say 'at something o'clock' you need to use 'a'.
    • A las once - At 11 o'clock.
    • A la medianoche - At midnight.

Jump to other topics

1Phonics/Alphabet/Spellings

2You, Family & Home

3School & Jobs

4Town, Shopping, Food, Drink

5Free Time

6Holiday

7The World Around Us

8Present Tense

9Past Tense

10Future Tense

11Conditional

12Grammar

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson