Using A + la/las + [time] to say at what time something takes place in Spanish

Learn about saying at what time something happens in Spanish

To express At what time something is taking place we use:

A la/las[time]

Have a look and listen to the following examples:

Voy al gimnasio a las diez y media.I go to the gym at half past ten.

Salgo de casa a las ocho en punto.I leave the house at eight o'clock precisely.

Almuerzo siempre a las dos y cuarto.I always have lunch at quarter past two.

Notice how "a" is always followed by the feminine definite article "las".

Now have a look at these other examples:

A veces recojo a mi hermano a la una.Sometimes I collect my brother at one.

Mi madre prepara el almuerzo a la una y media.My mum prepares lunch at half past one.

Notice how when something takes place at any time involving one (i.e 1:00 or 13:00 hours) the article takes the singular form "la".

It is not correct to say:

  • Mi madre prepara el almuerzo a las una y media.
  • Mi madre prepara el almuerzo a las una menos cuarto.

We also need the preposition "a" if we want to ask when something takes place:

- ¿A qué hora vas a llegar a casa? - Voy a llegar a casa a las nueve.- What time are you coming home? - I am coming home at nine.

See also Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using ser in Spanish (not estar) to talk about time, days, dates and seasons

 

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Examples and resources

A veces recojo a mi hermano a la una.Sometimes I collect my brother at one.
Mi madre prepara el almuerzo a la una y media.My mum prepares lunch at half past one.
Almuerzo siempre a las dos y cuarto.I always have lunch at quarter past two.
Voy al gimnasio a las diez y media.I go to the gym at half past ten.
- ¿A qué hora vas a llegar a casa? - Voy a llegar a casa a las nueve.- What time are you coming home? - I am coming home at nine.
Salgo de casa a las ocho en punto.I leave the house at eight o'clock precisely.
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