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.
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