A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "What is 13" in Spanish
Ask for the current time in Spanish with this essential phrase. Perfect for daily interactions.
¿Qué hora es?
keh OH-rah esneutral
Spanish TTS · 0:01
Use this when you need to know the time, like when you're meeting someone or checking your schedule. It's a polite and direct way to ask.
Alternatives
- ¿Qué horas son?Sometimes used, but 'qué hora es' is more standard.
- ¿Tienes hora?More casual, like asking 'Do you have the time?'
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'hora' with 'horrible'
'Hora' means 'hour' or 'time,' not 'horrible.'
Using 'es' instead of 'son' for plural hours
While you ask '¿Qué hora es?', the answer uses 'son' for plural hours, e.g., 'Son las dos.'
A small cultural note
In many Spanish-speaking countries, people are generally more relaxed about punctuality than in some English-speaking cultures. Don't be surprised if meetings or appointments start a little later than scheduled.
Frequently asked
how to ask what time is it in spanish
The most common way is '¿Qué hora es?'. This is a neutral and widely understood phrase.
what is the difference between que hora es and que horas son
'¿Qué hora es?' is the standard and most common way to ask for the time. '¿Qué horas son?' is less frequent and sometimes considered less correct.
how do you answer what time is it in spanish
You typically answer with 'Es la una' for 1:00, or 'Son las [number]' for other hours, like 'Son las dos' for 2:00.
