Understanding how to tell time in Spanish is crucial for effective communication in any Spanish-speaking environment. While it might seem straightforward, there are nuances and specific phrases that need to be mastered.
This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to say “6:40” in Spanish, covering various ways to express the time, related vocabulary, common mistakes, and practice exercises. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will help you confidently tell time in Spanish.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition: Telling Time in Spanish
- Structural Breakdown: Saying 6:40
- Types and Categories of Time Expressions
- Examples: Saying 6:40 in Different Contexts
- Usage Rules: Correctly Telling Time
- Common Mistakes When Telling Time
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics in Telling Time
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition: Telling Time in Spanish
Telling time in Spanish involves understanding the basic structure of sentences that express time and knowing the relevant vocabulary. The fundamental question to ask when inquiring about the time is “¿Qué hora es?” (What time is it?). The response will typically involve a form of the verb ser (to be) followed by the hour and minutes. The way minutes are expressed can vary, using either “y” (and) to indicate minutes past the hour, or “menos” (minus) to indicate minutes before the next hour. Mastering these structures is key to accurately communicating time in Spanish.
Structural Breakdown: Saying 6:40
To say “6:40” in Spanish, you can use a few different approaches. The most common way is to express it as “six and forty” or to indicate that it is twenty minutes to seven.
Let’s break down the options:
- Es la(s) + hour + y + minutes: This structure directly translates to “It is [hour] and [minutes].” For 6:40, this would be “Son las seis y cuarenta.”
- Es la(s) + next hour + menos + minutes: This structure translates to “It is [next hour] minus [minutes].” For 6:40, since it’s twenty minutes before seven, this would be “Son las siete menos veinte.”
The choice between these options often depends on personal preference and regional variations. Both are perfectly acceptable and commonly used.
Types and Categories of Time Expressions
Formal vs. Informal Time Telling
In Spanish, the formality of the situation can influence how you express time. In formal settings, it’s generally preferred to use the “y” (and) structure, stating the hour followed by “y” and the minutes.
In informal settings, using “menos” (minus) to indicate minutes before the next hour is equally acceptable and often more conversational.
Expressing Minutes Past the Hour
When expressing minutes past the hour, you use the structure “Es la(s) + hour + y + minutes.” The “y” connects the hour and the minutes. For example, “6:05” would be “Son las seis y cinco.” The verb “ser” takes the plural form “son” for all hours except for 1 o’clock, where it takes the singular form “es.”
Expressing Minutes to the Hour
To express minutes to the hour, you use the structure “Es la(s) + next hour + menos + minutes.” The “menos” indicates subtraction from the upcoming hour. For example, “6:55” (five minutes to seven) would be “Son las siete menos cinco.” This method is widely used and understood, especially when the minutes are closer to the next hour.
Examples: Saying 6:40 in Different Contexts
Here are several examples of how to say 6:40 in Spanish, along with related phrases and contextual scenarios. Understanding these examples will help you grasp the nuances of telling time in Spanish.
Table 1: Expressing 6:40 Directly
This table shows the direct translations of 6:40 using both ‘y’ and ‘menos’ constructions.
| English | Spanish (using “y”) | Spanish (using “menos”) |
|---|---|---|
| 6:40 | Son las seis y cuarenta | Son las siete menos veinte |
| A quarter past six | Son las seis y quince | |
| Half past six | Son las seis y treinta | |
| Ten past six | Son las seis y diez | |
| Twenty past six | Son las seis y veinte | |
| Twenty-five past six | Son las seis y veinticinco | |
| Five to seven | Son las siete menos cinco | |
| Quarter to seven | Son las siete menos cuarto | |
| Ten to seven | Son las siete menos diez | |
| Twenty-five to seven | Son las siete menos veinticinco | |
| One minute past six | Son las seis y uno | |
| Two minutes past six | Son las seis y dos | |
| Three minutes past six | Son las seis y tres | |
| Four minutes past six | Son las seis y cuatro | |
| One minute to seven | Son las siete menos uno | |
| Two minutes to seven | Son las siete menos dos | |
| Three minutes to seven | Son las siete menos tres | |
| Four minutes to seven | Son las siete menos cuatro | |
| Eleven minutes past six | Son las seis y once | |
| Twelve minutes past six | Son las seis y doce |
Table 2: Examples in Context
This table provides practical examples of how to use “6:40” in Spanish within full sentences.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| The meeting starts at 6:40. | La reunión empieza a las seis y cuarenta. / La reunión empieza a las siete menos veinte. |
| It’s 6:40, we need to leave now. | Son las seis y cuarenta, tenemos que salir ahora. / Son las siete menos veinte, tenemos que salir ahora. |
| My train arrives at 6:40. | Mi tren llega a las seis y cuarenta. / Mi tren llega a las siete menos veinte. |
| The store closes at 6:40. | La tienda cierra a las seis y cuarenta. / La tienda cierra a las siete menos veinte. |
| I have an appointment at 6:40. | Tengo una cita a las seis y cuarenta. / Tengo una cita a las siete menos veinte. |
| Can you meet me at 6:40? | ¿Puedes reunirte conmigo a las seis y cuarenta? / ¿Puedes reunirte conmigo a las siete menos veinte? |
| The show begins at 6:40. | El espectáculo comienza a las seis y cuarenta. / El espectáculo comienza a las siete menos veinte. |
| We should be there by 6:40. | Deberíamos estar allí a las seis y cuarenta. / Deberíamos estar allí a las siete menos veinte. |
| Dinner will be served at 6:40. | La cena se servirá a las seis y cuarenta. / La cena se servirá a las siete menos veinte. |
| Let’s set the alarm for 6:40. | Pongamos la alarma para las seis y cuarenta. / Pongamos la alarma para las siete menos veinte. |
| It’s almost 6:40. | Ya casi son las seis y cuarenta. / Ya casi son las siete menos veinte. |
| I woke up at 6:40. | Me desperté a las seis y cuarenta. / Me desperté a las siete menos veinte. |
| The sun sets around 6:40. | El sol se pone alrededor de las seis y cuarenta. / El sol se pone alrededor de las siete menos veinte. |
| The movie starts at 6:40. | La película comienza a las seis y cuarenta. / La película comienza a las siete menos veinte. |
| The bus leaves at 6:40. | El autobús sale a las seis y cuarenta. / El autobús sale a las siete menos veinte. |
| The game starts at 6:40. | El partido comienza a las seis y cuarenta. / El partido comienza a las siete menos veinte. |
| The concert begins at 6:40. | El concierto empieza a las seis y cuarenta. / El concierto empieza a las siete menos veinte. |
| The class begins at 6:40. | La clase empieza a las seis y cuarenta. / La clase empieza a las siete menos veinte. |
| The presentation starts at 6:40. | La presentación empieza a las seis y cuarenta. / La presentación empieza a las siete menos veinte. |
| The event begins at 6:40. | El evento comienza a las seis y cuarenta. / El evento comienza a las siete menos veinte. |
Table 3: Additional Time Vocabulary
This table provides essential vocabulary related to telling time in Spanish.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| What time is it? | ¿Qué hora es? |
| It is… | Es la(s)… |
| O’clock | En punto |
| Minute | Minuto |
| Hour | Hora |
| Half past | Y media |
| Quarter past | Y cuarto |
| Quarter to | Menos cuarto |
| AM (ante meridiem) | a.m. (de la mañana) |
| PM (post meridiem) | p.m. (de la tarde/noche) |
| Noon | Mediodía |
| Midnight | Medianoche |
| Second | Segundo |
| Clock | Reloj |
| Watch | Reloj de pulsera |
| Alarm clock | Despertador |
| Time | Tiempo |
| Schedule | Horario |
| Early | Temprano |
| Late | Tarde |
Table 4: Numbers in Spanish (1-60)
This table displays the Spanish numbers from 1 to 60, which are essential for telling time.
| Number | Spanish | Number | Spanish | Number | Spanish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uno | 21 | Veintiuno | 41 | Cuarenta y uno |
| 2 | Dos | 22 | Veintidós | 42 | Cuarenta y dos |
| 3 | Tres | 23 | Veintitrés | 43 | Cuarenta y tres |
| 4 | Cuatro | 24 | Veinticuatro | 44 | Cuarenta y cuatro |
| 5 | Cinco | 25 | Veinticinco | 45 | Cuarenta y cinco |
| 6 | Seis | 26 | Veintiséis | 46 | Cuarenta y seis |
| 7 | Siete | 27 | Veintisiete | 47 | Cuarenta y siete |
| 8 | Ocho | 28 | Veintiocho | 48 | Cuarenta y ocho |
| 9 | Nueve | 29 | Veintinueve | 49 | Cuarenta y nueve |
| 10 | Diez | 30 | Treinta | 50 | Cincuenta |
| 11 | Once | 31 | Treinta y uno | 51 | Cincuenta y uno |
| 12 | Doce | 32 | Treinta y dos | 52 | Cincuenta y dos |
| 13 | Trece | 33 | Treinta y tres | 53 | Cincuenta y tres |
| 14 | Catorce | 34 | Treinta y cuatro | 54 | Cincuenta y cuatro |
| 15 | Quince | 35 | Treinta y cinco | 55 | Cincuenta y cinco |
| 16 | Dieciséis | 36 | Treinta y seis | 56 | Cincuenta y seis |
| 17 | Diecisiete | 37 | Treinta y siete | 57 | Cincuenta y siete |
| 18 | Dieciocho | 38 | Treinta y ocho | 58 | Cincuenta y ocho |
| 19 | Diecinueve | 39 | Treinta y nueve | 59 | Cincuenta y nueve |
| 20 | Veinte | 40 | Cuarenta | 60 | Sesenta |
Table 5: Time of Day
This table displays the proper way to express the time of day in Spanish.
| Time of Day | Spanish | Example |
|---|---|---|
| In the morning | De la mañana | Son las ocho de la mañana. (It’s 8 AM.) |
| In the afternoon | De la tarde | Son las cinco de la tarde. (It’s 5 PM.) |
| In the evening/night | De la noche | Son las diez de la noche. (It’s 10 PM.) |
Usage Rules: Correctly Telling Time
When telling time in Spanish, several rules govern proper usage:
- Use “Es la” for 1 o’clock: For one o’clock, use the singular form “Es la una” (It is one). For all other hours, use the plural form “Son las” (It is…).
- “Y” for minutes past the hour: Use “y” to connect the hour and minutes when expressing minutes past the hour (e.g., “Son las seis y diez” – It’s 6:10).
- “Menos” for minutes to the hour: Use “menos” to indicate minutes before the next hour (e.g., “Son las siete menos veinte” – It’s 20 to 7).
- “En punto” for o’clock: To say “o’clock,” use “en punto” (e.g., “Son las seis en punto” – It’s 6 o’clock sharp).
- Specify the time of day: Use “de la mañana” (in the morning), “de la tarde” (in the afternoon), or “de la noche” (in the evening/night) to avoid ambiguity, especially when using the 12-hour clock.
Common Mistakes When Telling Time
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when telling time in Spanish:
- Incorrect verb form: Using “Es las” instead of “Son las” for hours other than 1 o’clock.
- Incorrect: Es las seis y cuarenta.
- Correct: Son las seis y cuarenta.
- Forgetting “de la mañana/tarde/noche”: Not specifying the time of day, leading to confusion.
- Unclear: Son las seis.
- Clear: Son las seis de la mañana. (6 AM) or Son las seis de la tarde. (6 PM)
- Misusing “menos”: Incorrectly calculating the minutes to the next hour.
- Incorrect: Son las siete menos cuarenta. (Intended: 6:20)
- Correct: Son las siete menos veinte. (6:40)
- Literal translation from English: Trying to directly translate English phrases without considering Spanish grammar rules.
- Incorrect: Es seis cuarenta.
- Correct: Son las seis y cuarenta.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Provide the Spanish translation for each time.
Exercise 1: Translate the following times into Spanish using both “y” and “menos” where applicable.
| # | English Time | Spanish (using “y”) | Spanish (using “menos”) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6:40 | ||
| 2 | 7:15 | ||
| 3 | 8:30 | ||
| 4 | 9:50 | ||
| 5 | 10:05 | ||
| 6 | 11:20 | ||
| 7 | 12:45 | ||
| 8 | 1:10 | ||
| 9 | 2:55 | ||
| 10 | 3:25 |
Answer Key:
| # | English Time | Spanish (using “y”) | Spanish (using “menos”) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6:40 | Son las seis y cuarenta | Son las siete menos veinte |
| 2 | 7:15 | Son las siete y quince | Son las siete y cuarto |
| 3 | 8:30 | Son las ocho y treinta | Son las ocho y media |
| 4 | 9:50 | Son las nueve y cincuenta | Son las diez menos diez |
| 5 | 10:05 | Son las diez y cinco | |
| 6 | 11:20 | Son las once y veinte | |
| 7 | 12:45 | Son las doce y cuarenta y cinco | Es la una menos cuarto |
| 8 | 1:10 | Es la una y diez | |
| 9 | 2:55 | Son las dos y cincuenta y cinco | Son las tres menos cinco |
| 10 | 3:25 | Son las tres y veinticinco |
Exercise 2: Translate the following sentences into Spanish.
| # | English Sentence | Spanish Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What time is it? | |
| 2 | The class starts at 6:40 PM. | |
| 3 | It’s 7:30 in the morning. | |
| 4 | My appointment is at 10:15 AM. | |
| 5 | We will meet at a quarter to eight. | |
| 6 | The movie starts at 9:20 PM. | |
| 7 | It’s almost midnight. | |
| 8 | The bus leaves at 5:05 PM. | |
| 9 | I woke up at half past six. | |
| 10 | The sun sets around 7:45 PM. |
Answer Key:
| # | English Sentence | Spanish Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What time is it? | ¿Qué hora es? |
| 2 | The class starts at 6:40 PM. | La clase empieza a las seis y cuarenta de la tarde. / La clase empieza a las siete menos veinte de la tarde. |
| 3 | It’s 7:30 in the morning. | Son las siete y treinta de la mañana. / Son las siete y media de la mañana. |
| 4 | My appointment is at 10:15 AM. | Mi cita es a las diez y quince de la mañana. |
| 5 | We will meet at a quarter to eight. | Nos reuniremos a las ocho menos cuarto. |
| 6 | The movie starts at 9:20 PM. | La película comienza a las nueve y veinte de la noche. |
| 7 | It’s almost midnight. | Ya casi es medianoche. |
| 8 | The bus leaves at 5:05 PM. | El autobús sale a las cinco y cinco de la tarde. |
| 9 | I woke up at half past six. | Me desperté a las seis y media. |
| 10 | The sun sets around 7:45 PM. | El sol se pone alrededor de las ocho menos cuarto de la noche. |
Advanced Topics in Telling Time
For advanced learners, consider these complex aspects of telling time in Spanish:
- Regional variations: Different Spanish-speaking countries may have slight variations in how they express time. For example, the use of “y pico” (and a bit) to indicate a few minutes past the hour.
- Using the 24-hour clock: While the 12-hour clock is common, the 24-hour clock is used in formal contexts such as transportation schedules.
- Nuances in expressing time intervals: Understanding how to say “for” or “during” a specific time period.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I ask what time it is in Spanish?
You ask “What time is it?” in Spanish by saying “¿Qué hora es?”. This is the most common and direct way to inquire about the current time.
- Is it “Es la” or “Son las”?
You use “Es la” for 1 o’clock (Es la una) and “Son las” for all other hours (Son las dos, Son las seis, etc.). The verb “ser” agrees in number with the hour.
- How do I specify AM or PM?
To specify AM (ante meridiem), use “de la mañana.” For PM (post meridiem), use “de la tarde” (afternoon) or “de la noche” (evening/night), depending on the time of day. For example, “Son las seis de la mañana” (6 AM) and “Son las seis de la tarde” (6 PM).
- What is the difference between “y cuarto” and “quince”?
“Y cuarto” and “y quince” both mean “quarter past,” but “y cuarto” is more commonly used. Both are correct, but “y cuarto” is more idiomatic.
- When should I use “menos” instead of “y”?
You use “menos” to indicate minutes *before* the next hour. For example, instead of saying “Son las seis y cuarenta y cinco” (6:45), you can say “Son las siete menos cuarto” (quarter to seven).
- How do I say “noon” and “midnight”?
To say “noon,” you use “mediodía.” To say “midnight,” you use “medianoche.” For example, “Es mediodía” (It’s noon) and “Es medianoche” (It’s midnight).
- Are there regional differences in telling time?
Yes, there can be slight regional differences. While the basic structure remains the same, some regions might prefer certain expressions over others. For instance, the use of “y pico” to indicate a few minutes past the hour is more common in some areas.
- How do you say ‘half past’ in Spanish?
To say “half past” in Spanish, you can use “y media”. For example, “Son las seis y media” means “It’s half past six.”
Conclusion
Mastering how to say “6:40” and other times in Spanish is a fundamental skill for effective communication. By understanding the basic structures, vocabulary, and usage rules, you can confidently tell time in various contexts.
Remember to practice regularly, pay attention to regional variations, and avoid common mistakes. With consistent effort, you’ll be able to navigate time-related conversations with ease and fluency.