A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "What time do you close" in Spanish
Learn how to ask about business closing times in Spanish using this essential phrase for travelers and shoppers.
¿A qué hora cierran?
ah keh OH-rah SYEH-rranneutral
Spanish TTS · 0:01
Use this when you are standing in front of a shop or restaurant and want to confirm their operating hours. It works perfectly when speaking to a clerk or a waiter to see if you have enough time to browse or order.
Alternatives
- ¿A qué hora cierran ustedes?Use this if you want to be slightly more specific by adding the word for 'you all'.
- ¿Hasta qué hora están abiertos?Use this to ask 'until what time are you open' for a more natural flow.
- ¿Cuál es su horario de cierre?Use this in a formal business context when asking for official closing hours.
Ways to get it wrong
Don't use 'cerrar' as a noun
Avoid saying '¿Qué hora es cerrar?', as 'cerrar' is a verb and needs the structure 'a qué hora' to make sense.
Avoid literal translations
Do not say '¿Qué tiempo cierran?', because 'tiempo' refers to weather or duration, not clock time.
A small cultural note
In many Latin American countries, small businesses may close for a mid-afternoon break, so this question is very helpful to avoid arriving during that window.
Frequently asked
How do I ask when a place opens?
You simply swap the verb for 'open', which is 'abrir'. Ask, '¿A qué hora abren?' to find out their morning start time.
Why do you use the plural 'cierran'?
In Spanish, we use the plural form to refer to the business as a whole, implying 'the people who work here'. It is the standard way to address any establishment.
What if I want to ask about a specific day?
You can add the day at the end of the sentence. For example, say '¿A qué hora cierran el domingo?' to ask about Sunday hours.
