Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say What Time in Spanish
¿Qué Hora Es? · interrogative phrase · keh OH-rah ehs
To ask 'what time is it?' in Spanish, say '¿Qué hora es?' When asking at what time an event occurs, switch to '¿A qué hora?' Both phrases are essential for navigating schedules and daily life.
keh OH-rah ehs
¿Qué hora es? — Son las tres de la tarde.
What time is it? — It's three in the afternoon.
What Time in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for what time, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¿Qué hora es? | what time | keh OH-rah ehs | Default, widely understood |
| ¿A qué hora? | what time | Universal (At what time?) |
How Native Speakers Use ¿Qué Hora Es?
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Asking the current time
Disculpe, ¿qué hora es?
Excuse me, what time is it?
This is the most common and polite way to ask the time from a stranger.
Asking about a scheduled event
¿A qué hora empieza la película?
What time does the movie start?
Use '¿A qué hora?' followed by a verb to ask when something is scheduled.
Responding with the time
Son las dos y media.
It's two thirty.
For all hours except 1:00, use 'son las' plus the hour. For 1:00, use 'es la una.'
Asking informally
¿Qué hora tienes?
What time do you have?
A casual alternative meaning 'what does your watch say?'
Avoid These Mistakes When Using ¿Qué Hora Es?
Using 'son' for 1 o'clock
Incorrect: Son la una.
Correct: Es la una.
'La una' is singular, so you must use the singular verb 'es' instead of the plural 'son.'
Forgetting the preposition 'a'
Incorrect: ¿Qué hora empieza la clase?
Correct: ¿A qué hora empieza la clase?
When asking at what time something happens, you need the preposition 'a' before 'qué hora.'
Lock in What Time Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See ¿Qué Hora Es? used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using ¿Qué hora es? in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear ¿Qué hora es? — Son las tres de la tarde. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About What Time in Spanish
- What is the difference between '¿Qué hora es?' and '¿A qué hora?'
- '¿Qué hora es?' asks for the current time (What time is it?), while '¿A qué hora?' asks when something takes place (At what time?).
- Do Spanish speakers use 12-hour or 24-hour time?
- In conversation, most Spanish speakers use 12-hour time with context words like 'de la mañana' (in the morning) or 'de la noche' (at night). Official schedules, transportation, and military contexts use 24-hour time.
- Why does Spanish say 'son las' instead of 'es las'?
- The verb agrees with the number of hours. Since 'las dos,' 'las tres,' etc. are plural, you use 'son.' The only singular case is 'es la una' for one o'clock.