¿Qué hora es? What Time is It? How to Tell Time and Give Dates in Spanish
In this post we’ll learn how to tell time in Spanish, how to give dates in Spanish, and how to talk about days and months in Spanish. First we’ll start with Spanish vocabulary related to the time of day. Then you’ll learn how to tell time in Spanish. Next you’ll learn the days of the week in Spanish as well as the months of the year. Finally, you’ll learn how to give dates in Spanish.
Día, noche: Day, Night
Let’s start with some basic vocabulary related to time of day: el día day; la noche night; la mañana morning; la tarde afternoon; la tarde/la noche/el anochecer evening.
- Es temprano./Es tarde.
It’s early/late. - Duermo en la noche.
I sleep at night. - Trabajo durante el día.
I work during the day. - Leemos en la tarde.
We read in the evening.
How to tell time in Spanish: ¿Qué hora es? What time is it?
How to tell time in Spanish: ¿Qué hora es? What time is it?
To ask what time it is in Spanish, use ¿Qué hora es? The answer will follow the format Son las ___ (it is ___ o’clock) for all hours except one, in which case the answer is el la una. The phrase y media means and half, and’s used for half past. The question a qué hora means at what time.
- ¿Qué hora es?
What time is it? - Es mediodía.
It’s noon. - Es la una.
It’s 1:00. - Son las dos.
It’s 2:00. - Son las tres y media.
It’s 3:30. - Son las cinco y cuarenta y cinco.
It’s 5:45. - ¿A qué hora sale el tren?
When does the train leave? - El tren sale a la una y media de la tarde.
The train leaves at one thirty in the afternoon. - ¿A qué hora abre/cierra la tienda?
What time does the store open/close? - La tienda abre a las diez en punto de la mañana.
The store opens at ten o’clock in the morning.
Days of the Week in Spanish
The days of the week in Spanish are: el lunes Monday; el martes Tuesday; el miércoles Wednesday; el jueves Thursday; el viernes Friday; el sábado Saturday; el domingo Sunday. Some other key vocabulary is: hoy today, mañana tomorrow, ayer yesterday, esta noche tonight, la semana the week, el fin de semana the weekend.
- ¿Qué día es hoy?
What day is it today? - Trabajo los lunes, los martes, los miércoles, los jueves y los viernes.
I work on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. - Todos los sábados vemos a nuestros amigos.
We see our friends every Saturday. - ¿Qué vas a hacer esta noche?
What are you doing tonight? - ¿Qué hiciste ayer?
What did you do yesterday? - Nos vemos este fin de semana.
I’ll see you this weekend. (“We’ll see each other.”)
More Spanish Time Expressions
Some other important vocabulary to know when you’re talking about dates and times are: la semana week; el mes month, el año year.
- esta semana, este mes, este año
this week, this month, this year - la semana pasada, el mes pasado, el año pasado
last week, last month, last year - la próxima semana, el próximo mes, el próximo año
la semana que viene, el mes que viene, el año que viene
next week, next month, next year - La clase comienza la próxima semana / el próximo mes / el próximo año.
The class starts next week/ month/ year. - La clase empezó la semana pasada / el mes pasado / el año pasado.
The class started last week/ month/ year.
Months in Spanish and How to Give Dates in Spanish
Months in Spanish and How to Give Dates in Spanish
The months of the year are: enero January, febrero February, marzo March, abril April, mayo May, junio June, julio July, agosto August, septiembre September, octubre October, noviembre November, diciembre December.
- ¿Qué fecha es hoy?
What’s the date today? - ¿Cuándo es tu/su cumpleaños?
When is your birthday? - Mi cumpleaños es el veinticuatro de noviembre.
My birthday is on November twenty-fourth. - Mi familia llega el dos de agosto.
My family arrives on August second. - Nos vamos de vacaciones desde el ocho de julio hasta el veinte de julio.
Nos vamos de vacaciones del ocho al veinte de julio.
We go on vacation from July eighth through July twentieth.
Learn Spanish with the Language Garage!
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning how to tell time in Spanish, how to give dates in Spanish, and how to talk about days and months in Spanish. If you want to learn more, check out our other posts on Spanish language, culture, and more. If you’re looking for convenient and affordable live Spanish lessons with a real teacher, visit The Language Garage. Our lessons are affordable and fun, and they’re given online in a virtual classroom, so it doesn’t matter where you live or work – we can come to you. We have flexible options, with a free trial so that you can decide if there’s a fit. Check us out!
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