Spanish · Time, Numbers & Colors
"Time" in Spanish: hora
la hora
Note: time in general: el tiempo
Clock time in Spanish is la hora. Ask ¿qué hora es? El tiempo means time in general, or weather.
Checking a watch
¿Qué hora es?Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce hora
Say it
OH-rah
/ˈoɾa/
OH-rah. Soft h is silent. Stress OH. Clear final ah.
"Time" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| la hora | the time / the hour Clock time and duration measured in hours. | Clock time and duration measured in hours. |
| ¿qué hora es? | what time is it? The standard clock question. | The standard clock question. |
| a tiempo | on time Arrive a tiempo for buses and meetings. | Arrive a tiempo for buses and meetings. |
| tengo tiempo | I have time Uses el tiempo, not la hora. | Uses el tiempo, not la hora. |
| ¿a qué hora…? | at what time…? Ask when something starts. | Ask when something starts. |
How to use hora in real life
- 1Checking a watch
¿Qué hora es?
What time is it?
Hora for clock questions.
- 2Making plans
¿A qué hora sale el bus?
What time does the bus leave?
A qué hora asks when.
- 3Arriving early
Llegué a tiempo a la hora.
I arrived on time for the appointment hour.
A tiempo plus la hora.
Mistakes English speakers make with hora
Incorrect: ¿Qué tiempo es? (for the clock)
Correct: ¿Qué hora es?
Clock questions use hora, not tiempo.
Incorrect: El hora es una.
Correct: La hora es la una.
Hora is feminine: la hora.
Good to know
Tickets often use 24-hour time. Spoken answers still use es la una or son las dos with hora.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Catching a movie
ChatPal
¿Qué hora es? Empezamos pronto.
What time is it? We start soon.
You
Son las siete. ¿A qué hora es la película?
It's seven. What time is the movie?
ChatPal
A las siete y media.
At seven thirty.
You
Perfecto. Vamos a tiempo.
Perfect. Let's go on time.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Time" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Time" in Spanish
Is hora masculine or feminine?
Feminine: la hora, una hora, qué hora.
Hora or tiempo?
Hora for the clock. Tiempo for free time or weather.
How do I ask the time?
¿Qué hora es?
How do I say on time?
A tiempo.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
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- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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