To express At what time something is taking place we use:
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 cojo en autobús a la una.
Sometimes I take the bus 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 Using ser (not estar) to talk about time, days, dates and seasons
Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics
Examples and resources
Almuerzo siempre a las dos y cuarto.
I always have lunch at quarter past two.
Mi madre prepara el almuerzo a la una y media.
My mum prepares lunch at half past one.
Salgo de casa a las ocho en punto.
I leave the house at eight o'clock precisely.
A veces cojo en autobús a la una.
Sometimes I take the bus at one.
- ¿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.
Voy al gimnasio a las diez y media.
I go to the gym at half past ten.
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