A guide to saying it like a local

How to Say "What time do you open" in Spanish

Ask businesses their opening hours in Spanish with this direct and common phrase.

¿A qué hora abren?

ah keh OH-rah AH-brenneutral

A single phrase, broken down

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Use this when you want to know the opening time of a shop, restaurant, museum, or any establishment. It's a polite and standard way to get this information.

Alternatives

  • ¿Cuándo abren?This asks 'when' more generally, not specifically the time.
  • ¿A qué hora abren ustedes?This is slightly more explicit about asking 'you all'.

Ways to get it wrong

Confusing 'abren' with 'abren'

The verb 'abrir' means 'to open'; ensure you're using the correct conjugation for 'they open'.

Using 'qué hora' incorrectly

'¿Qué hora es?' asks 'What time is it?', but '¿A qué hora?' asks 'At what time?'

A small cultural note

In some places, especially smaller towns, business hours can be quite variable or might not be strictly adhered to. It's always best to ask directly.

Frequently asked

what time do shops open in mexico

You can ask '¿A qué hora abren?' to any shop. Typical opening times might be around 9 or 10 AM, but it varies.

how to ask restaurant opening time spanish

Use '¿A qué hora abren?' when approaching a restaurant. Many restaurants open for lunch around 1 PM or for dinner around 7 or 8 PM.

difference between a que hora abren and cuando abren

'¿A qué hora abren?' specifically asks for the time of opening. '¿Cuándo abren?' is a broader question about when they open, which could refer to the day or time.