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A1 noun 10분 분량

la hora

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁 la hora 30초 만에

설명 la hora in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'la hora' is one of the first essential nouns you will learn. Its primary use is for telling time and asking for it. You will learn the basic question '¿Qué hora es?' and how to answer using the verb 'ser'. At this stage, it's crucial to understand that 'hora' is feminine, so we use 'la' or 'las'. You will also learn to use 'a la' or 'a las' to say when something happens, like 'a las ocho' (at eight). You might also use it to express simple durations like 'una hora' (one hour). The focus is on practical, daily survival Spanish, such as understanding schedules for buses or knowing when a class starts. You will learn to distinguish between 'la una' (singular) and 'las dos, las tres...' (plural). This level is all about the literal meaning of a clock hour.

As you move to A2, you begin to use 'la hora' in the context of daily routines and more complex schedules. You will describe your day using 'a qué hora' (at what time) for various activities like waking up, working, or eating. You'll start to encounter common phrases like 'hora de comer' (lunchtime) or 'hora de dormir' (bedtime). You will also learn to express duration more fluently, perhaps using 'desde las... hasta las...' (from... until...). At this level, you might also start to see 'hora' in slightly more idiomatic ways, such as 'llegar a la hora' (to arrive on time). You will also become more comfortable with the 24-hour clock, which is frequently used in Spanish-speaking countries for official schedules, though you will still use the 12-hour format in casual conversation.

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At the B1 level, 'la hora' becomes part of more nuanced expressions and grammatical structures. You will use it to talk about deadlines ('la hora límite') and concepts like 'la hora punta' (rush hour). You'll start to understand and use expressions like 'hace una hora' (an hour ago) or 'dentro de una hora' (in an hour) to place events in time relative to the present. You will also encounter the word in more abstract social contexts, like 'la hora de la verdad' (the moment of truth). Your ability to discuss time will expand to include more subjective experiences, such as 'se me pasó la hora' (I lost track of time). You will also start to distinguish more clearly between 'hora' and 'tiempo' in varied contexts, ensuring you don't use them interchangeably in error.

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At the B2 level, your use of 'la hora' will include more sophisticated idioms and formal registers. You will be able to discuss labor laws involving 'horas extras' (overtime) or 'la reducción de jornada' (reduction of hours). You will understand more complex temporal markers like 'a estas horas' (at this time of day/at this late hour), which often carries a tone of surprise or annoyance. You will also encounter 'la hora' in literature and news media, where it might be used to frame historical events or significant social shifts. You should be comfortable using the word in professional settings, such as setting 'una hora de entrega' (a delivery time) or negotiating 'la hora de inicio' of a project. Your understanding of the word now includes its role as a social and professional regulator.

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By C1, you have a deep understanding of the stylistic and idiomatic nuances of 'la hora'. You can use expressions like 'a buenas horas, mangas verdes' (a bit late in the day) to express sarcasm about something that comes too late. You will recognize how 'la hora' is used in different Spanish dialects and regions, noting the subtle differences in time-telling conventions. You can handle philosophical discussions about the nature of 'la hora' versus 'el tiempo' in a literary context. You will also be familiar with archaic or highly formal uses, such as 'la hora canónica' in historical texts. Your speech will include 'la hora' in a way that sounds completely natural, including the use of fillers and colloquial shortcuts that native speakers use when discussing time and schedules.

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At the C2 level, 'la hora' is a tool you use with total mastery and precision. You can appreciate the word's etymological roots and its evolution in the Spanish language. You are capable of using 'la hora' in complex rhetorical devices or as a central theme in creative writing. You understand the most obscure idioms and can use them appropriately to convey specific emotional or cultural weights. You might discuss the 'hora' in terms of legal precedents or complex scientific measurements. There is no context—be it a high-level diplomatic meeting, a complex legal contract, or a sophisticated piece of poetry—where you cannot use 'la hora' and its related forms with the same nuance as a highly educated native speaker. You understand the profound cultural significance of time in the Spanish-speaking world and how 'la hora' reflects it.

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연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

la hora 30초 만에

A feminine noun meaning 'hour' or 'time' (clock time).
Used with 'ser' to tell time: 'es la una', 'son las dos'.
Essential for schedules, durations, and social appointments.
Appears in many idioms like 'hora punta' (rush hour).

The Spanish noun la hora is a fundamental pillar of daily communication, primarily representing a specific sixty-minute interval or the concept of 'the time' as shown on a clock. At its most basic level, it is the word you reach for when you need to navigate the world's schedules, appointments, and social rhythms. However, its utility extends far beyond the mechanical ticking of a watch. In the Hispanic world, time is often perceived through a social lens, and la hora acts as the anchor for these interactions. Whether you are asking for the current time, discussing the duration of a flight, or referring to a significant moment in history, this word is indispensable. It is inherently feminine, requiring the article la or las when pluralized, which is a crucial grammatical point for English speakers who are used to the gender-neutral 'the hour'.

Temporal Measurement: Refers strictly to the 60-minute duration. For example, 'Estudié por una hora' (I studied for one hour).
Clock Time: Refers to the specific point in the day. '¿Qué hora es?' is the standard way to ask 'What time is it?'.
Opportunity or Moment: Used metaphorically to indicate the right time for something. 'Es la hora de actuar' (It is time to act).

In cultural contexts, la hora is frequently used in the plural when referring to the passage of time in a more general or poetic sense. You might hear someone say 'las horas pasan volando' (the hours fly by). It's also vital to note that in many Spanish-speaking cultures, the concept of 'la hora' can be more flexible than in the rigid schedules of Northern Europe or North America. For instance, 'la hora de la siesta' or 'la hora de la comida' aren't just points on a clock; they are social institutions that dictate the flow of the entire day. Understanding la hora means understanding the heartbeat of Spanish-speaking societies.

Perdone, ¿tiene la hora? Necesito llegar puntual a la reunión.

Furthermore, the word appears in numerous compound forms and idiomatic expressions that enrich the language. 'La hora punta' refers to rush hour, while 'la última hora' refers to the latest news or the very last moment. In a professional setting, you will encounter 'horas extras' (overtime) and 'horario' (schedule). The versatility of la hora ensures that it remains one of the first words a learner masters and one of the most nuanced words a fluent speaker employs. It is the bridge between the mathematical precision of timekeeping and the organic reality of human life.

Faltan solo dos horas para que empiece el concierto de mis sueños.

Using la hora correctly involves mastering its interaction with verbs, especially ser, and understanding how prepositions change its meaning. Unlike English, where we use 'it is' for all times, Spanish switches between singular and plural depending on the number. For 1:00, we say 'Es la una'. For any other time, we use 'Son las dos/tres/diez'. This distinction is a hallmark of basic Spanish proficiency and reflects the noun's feminine gender.

With the Verb Ser: Used to identify the current time. '¿Qué hora es?' - 'Es la una y media'.
With the Preposition 'A': Used to indicate when an event occurs. 'La clase empieza a las ocho'.
Expressing Duration: Used with 'durante' or 'por' to show how long something lasts. 'Caminamos por una hora'.

When you want to be precise, you use phrases like 'en punto' (on the dot) or 'y cuarto' (quarter past). If you are referring to a deadline, you might use 'la hora límite'. In more complex sentences, la hora can serve as the subject or the object. For example, 'La hora de salida ha sido retrasada' (The departure time has been delayed). Here, 'la hora de salida' functions as a compound noun phrase. It's also important to differentiate between 'hora' and 'tiempo'. While 'tiempo' is the general concept of time, 'hora' is specifically for clock time or the 60-minute unit.

Ya es la hora de irnos si queremos evitar el tráfico de la tarde.

In literary or formal contexts, 'la hora' might be used to signify a fateful moment. 'Le llegó su hora' is a common euphemism for someone's death or the end of their reign. In daily life, however, you'll most often use it to coordinate with others. 'Nos vemos a la misma hora de siempre' (We'll meet at the same time as always). This demonstrates how 'hora' acts as a social coordinate, aligning people's schedules and expectations.

Trabajo ocho horas diarias de lunes a viernes en la oficina central.

You will hear la hora in almost every environment where Spanish is spoken, from the most formal boardrooms to the liveliest street markets. In public transport hubs like airports or train stations, announcements frequently mention 'la hora de embarque' (boarding time) or 'la hora de llegada' (arrival time). These announcements are often preceded by a chime, signaling that a specific hora is being referenced. On the radio or television, news anchors often start the broadcast with 'Es la hora exacta...' to give listeners a chance to sync their clocks.

Public Announcements: 'Atención pasajeros, la hora de salida del vuelo 402 ha cambiado'.
Workplaces: '¿A qué hora es la reunión con el cliente?' - Focusing on scheduling and productivity.
Social Gatherings: 'Es hora de cenar' or '¡A buenas horas!' (used sarcastically when someone is late).

In many Latin American countries, you might hear street vendors or bus drivers shouting out the time to help people who don't have watches. In Spain, the church bells still ring 'las horas', a tradition that has lasted for centuries. In modern digital life, your phone or computer will display 'la hora' in the top corner, and social media apps will show 'hace una hora' (one hour ago) to indicate when a post was made. The word is so ubiquitous that it often goes unnoticed, yet it provides the essential framework for all social coordination.

En la radio siempre anuncian la hora antes de dar las noticias nacionales.

In songs and movies, la hora is often used to build tension. Think of a heist movie where the leader says, 'Ha llegado la hora' (The time has come). Or in romantic ballads where a singer laments 'las horas que paso sin ti' (the hours I spend without you). Whether it's the cold precision of a schedule or the emotional weight of a long wait, la hora is the vessel for these concepts. It is a word that carries the weight of both the mundane and the momentous.

El tren llegó a la hora prevista, ni un minuto más tarde de lo anunciado.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is confusing la hora with el tiempo. In English, we use 'time' for almost everything: 'What time is it?', 'I don't have time', 'Time passes'. In Spanish, you must distinguish between these. If you are talking about the clock, use hora. If you are talking about the general concept of time, duration in an abstract sense, or even the weather, use tiempo. Saying '¿Qué tiempo es?' to ask for the time is a classic beginner mistake that will immediately mark you as a non-native speaker.

Gender Mismatch: Mistakenly using 'el hora'. Remember, even though it starts with a silent 'h', it is feminine: 'la hora'.
Verb Agreement: Using 'Es las dos' instead of 'Son las dos'. The verb 'ser' must match the number of hours.
Preposition Errors: Saying 'en las cinco' for 'at five'. The correct preposition for time is 'a': 'a las cinco'.

Another subtle mistake occurs with the phrase 'on time'. English speakers often want to say 'en hora', but the correct idiomatic expression is 'a tiempo' or 'puntual'. However, 'el tren está en hora' is used in some regions to mean the train is running according to the schedule. This can be confusing! Generally, stick to 'a tiempo' for being punctual. Furthermore, when counting hours, remember that 'hora' is a countable noun. You wouldn't say 'mucho hora', but 'muchas horas'.

Incorrecto: ¿Qué tiempo es?
Correcto: ¿Qué hora es?

Finally, be careful with the word 'ahora' (now). While it contains the word 'hora', it is an adverb and functions differently. Don't confuse 'la hora' (the hour/time) with 'ahora' (now). For example, 'Es la hora de comer ahora' means 'It is time to eat now'. Mixing these up can lead to sentences that sound repetitive or nonsensical. Mastery of la hora requires paying attention to these small but significant details that separate a student from a fluent communicator.

No digas 'es las tres', lo correcto es decir 'son las tres' porque son varias horas.

While la hora is the most common word for clock time and 60-minute periods, Spanish offers a rich variety of alternatives depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Understanding these synonyms and related terms will help you avoid repetition and speak with more precision. For instance, if you are referring to an exact point in time that is very brief, el instante or el momento might be more appropriate. If you are talking about a broader period of time, you might use la época or el periodo.

El Momento vs. La Hora: La hora is specific to the clock; el momento is a more general or emotional point in time. 'Fue un momento increíble' vs 'Fue a la hora pactada'.
El Tiempo vs. La Hora: El tiempo is the abstract concept (Time is money / El tiempo es oro). La hora is the measurement.
El Horario: This refers to a schedule or timetable. 'Consulta el horario de trenes' (Check the train schedule).

In some contexts, el rato is used to describe an unspecified but usually short period of time. 'Espérame un rato' (Wait for me a while). This is very common in informal speech where 'una hora' might feel too precise or demanding. Another interesting alternative is la sazón, though it's quite formal or literary, meaning 'at the right time' or 'season'. In legal or formal documents, you might see el término to refer to a deadline or a period of time allowed for something. Knowing when to switch from la hora to these alternatives shows a deep grasp of Spanish semantics.

En ese momento no sabía qué hora era porque perdí mi reloj en la playa.

Finally, consider the word el lapso. This is often used in technical or academic Spanish to describe a gap or duration of time. 'En un lapso de tres horas...' (In a span of three hours). While la hora is the unit, el lapso focuses on the interval. By expanding your vocabulary beyond just la hora, you can describe the passage of time with the same richness and variety that native speakers do, moving from simple time-telling to sophisticated storytelling.

El horario de la biblioteca cambia durante las horas de exámenes finales.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

The concept of dividing the day into 24 equal hours was not standard until the invention of mechanical clocks in the Middle Ages; before that, 'hours' varied in length depending on the season.

발음 가이드

UK /ˈo.ɾa/

US /ˈo.ɾa/

The stress is on the first syllable: O-ra.

라임이 맞는 단어

flora adora implora señora ahora explora decora evapora

자주 하는 실수

Pronouncing the 'h' (it must be silent).
Using a hard English 'r' instead of a Spanish tap.
Stressing the second syllable (o-RA).
Making the 'o' too long like in 'boat'.
Aspirating the 'h' like in 'house'.

난이도

독해 1/5

Very easy to recognize as it looks like 'hour'.

쓰기 2/5

Easy, but remember the silent 'h' and feminine gender.

말하기 2/5

Requires the tapped 'r' and silent 'h'.

듣기 1/5

Very common and easy to distinguish in speech.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

el la ser números (1-60)

다음에 배울 것

minuto segundo calendario días de la semana

고급

cronómetro efímero puntualidad horario laboral

알아야 할 문법

Use 'ser' for telling time.

Son las cuatro.

Use 'a' + article for the time of an event.

A las ocho.

Hours are feminine.

La una, las dos.

Use 'menos' for time before the hour.

Las cinco menos cuarto.

Use 'y' for time after the hour.

Las cinco y diez.

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수준별 예문

¿Qué hora es?

What time is it?

Standard question using the singular 'hora'.

Es la una en punto.

It is one o'clock sharp.

Uses 'es la' because 'una' is singular and feminine.

Son las tres de la tarde.

It is three in the afternoon.

Uses 'son las' for plural hours.

La clase es a las ocho.

The class is at eight.

Uses the preposition 'a' to indicate the time of an event.

Estudio una hora cada día.

I study one hour every day.

Expresses duration using 'una hora'.

Tengo una hora libre.

I have one free hour.

'Libre' modifies 'hora'.

¿A qué hora comes?

At what time do you eat?

'A qué hora' is the standard way to ask for the time of an activity.

Falta una hora para el tren.

There is one hour left for the train.

'Falta' indicates the time remaining.

Mi horario de trabajo es flexible.

My work schedule is flexible.

'Horario' is the noun for schedule, derived from 'hora'.

Llegué a la hora exacta.

I arrived at the exact time.

'Exacta' agrees with the feminine 'hora'.

Es la hora de desayunar.

It is time for breakfast.

'Hora de' + infinitive indicates the time for an action.

Trabajo ocho horas al día.

I work eight hours a day.

Plural 'horas' used for duration.

La película dura dos horas.

The movie lasts two hours.

Verb 'durar' used with 'horas' for duration.

¿Tienes hora?

Do you have the time?

Casual way to ask for the time.

Nos vemos a la misma hora.

We'll see each other at the same time.

'Misma' (same) modifies 'hora'.

La tienda abre a esta hora.

The shop opens at this time.

'Esta hora' refers to the current time.

Evita viajar en la hora punta.

Avoid traveling during rush hour.

'Hora punta' is a compound noun for rush hour.

La hora límite es a medianoche.

The deadline is at midnight.

'Hora límite' means deadline.

Hace una hora que te espero.

I've been waiting for you for an hour.

'Hace' + time + 'que' indicates how long an action has been happening.

Llegó la hora de la verdad.

The moment of truth has arrived.

Idiomatic expression for a decisive moment.

Me pagan por horas.

I am paid by the hour.

'Por horas' indicates the rate of pay.

Se me pasó la hora volando.

The hour flew by for me.

Idiomatic use of 'pasar volando' with 'la hora'.

Anunciaron la noticia de última hora.

They announced the breaking news.

'Última hora' refers to breaking news or the last moment.

No es hora de bromas.

It is not the time for jokes.

Indicates appropriateness of an action.

A estas horas ya no hay autobuses.

At this time of night, there are no more buses.

'A estas horas' implies it is late.

Hice muchas horas extras este mes.

I did a lot of overtime this month.

'Horas extras' is the term for overtime.

La hora de salida se ha pospuesto.

The departure time has been postponed.

Passive construction with 'la hora de salida'.

Es cuestión de horas que termine.

It's a matter of hours before it finishes.

'Cuestión de horas' indicates something is imminent.

Le llegó su hora de brillar.

His/her time to shine arrived.

Metaphorical use of 'hora' for opportunity.

Pido la hora porque el partido es tenso.

I'm asking for the end (of the game) because it's tense.

'Pedir la hora' is used in sports when you want the game to end.

La cita es a hora convenida.

The appointment is at the agreed time.

'Hora convenida' is formal for 'agreed time'.

No veo la hora de verte.

I can't wait to see you.

Idiomatic expression 'no ver la hora de' meaning 'to look forward to'.

A buenas horas llegas con la solución.

You're a bit late with the solution.

Sarcastic idiom 'a buenas horas'.

La hora canónica marcaba el ritmo del monasterio.

The canonical hour set the pace of the monastery.

Historical/religious term 'hora canónica'.

El proyecto se entregó a la hora undécima.

The project was delivered at the eleventh hour.

Idiomatic 'la hora undécima' for the very last moment.

No es de recibo llamar a estas horas.

It is not acceptable to call at this time.

Formal expression 'no es de recibo' with 'a estas horas'.

Las horas se dilataban en la espera.

The hours stretched out during the wait.

Literary use of 'dilatarse' with 'horas'.

La hora de cierre es innegociable.

The closing time is non-negotiable.

Strong adjective 'innegociable' modifying 'hora'.

Trabaja de sol a sol, sin mirar la hora.

He works from sunrise to sunset, without looking at the time.

Idiomatic 'de sol a sol' contrasted with 'la hora'.

Su discurso duró una hora larga.

His speech lasted well over an hour.

'Hora larga' means slightly more than an hour.

La caducidad de la hora es la tragedia del hombre.

The fleeting nature of the hour is man's tragedy.

Philosophical/abstract use of 'la hora'.

Se halla en su hora más aciaga.

He is in his darkest hour.

Literary 'hora aciaga' meaning dark or fateful hour.

El reloj de arena dictaba la hora fatídica.

The hourglass dictated the fateful hour.

Highly literary use of 'fatídica'.

A la hora de la verdad, pocos se quedaron.

When the moment of truth came, few stayed.

Abstract social application of 'la hora de la verdad'.

La obra captura la esencia de la hora crepuscular.

The work captures the essence of the twilight hour.

Poetic 'hora crepuscular'.

No hay hora que no llegue ni plazo que no se cumpla.

There is no hour that doesn't arrive nor deadline that isn't met.

Traditional proverb about the inevitability of time.

El protocolo exige puntualidad a la hora señalada.

The protocol demands punctuality at the appointed hour.

Formal/legalistic 'hora señalada'.

Viven bajo el yugo de la hora exacta.

They live under the yoke of exact time.

Metaphorical use of 'yugo' with 'la hora'.

자주 쓰는 조합

hora punta

hora límite

hora extra

hora de comer

hora de llegada

hora de salida

hora local

hora oficial

hora prevista

hora lectiva

자주 쓰는 구문

¿Qué hora es?

— The standard way to ask for the current time.

Disculpe, ¿qué hora es?

En punto

— Used to say 'sharp' or 'on the dot' for time.

Son las tres en punto.

A la hora

— Meaning 'on time' or at the scheduled time.

Llegó justo a la hora.

De hora en hora

— Meaning 'hour by hour' or 'gradually'.

La situación cambia de hora en hora.

Última hora

— Refers to 'breaking news' or 'the last minute'.

Noticias de última hora.

Hace una hora

— Meaning 'an hour ago'.

Se fue hace una hora.

Dentro de una hora

— Meaning 'in an hour'.

Vuelvo dentro de una hora.

A estas horas

— Meaning 'at this (late) hour' or 'at this time'.

¿Dónde vas a estas horas?

Pasar las horas

— Meaning to spend time or watch time go by.

Pasa las horas leyendo.

Pedir la hora

— Meaning to ask the time or, in sports, to want the game to end.

El equipo está pidiendo la hora.

자주 혼동되는 단어

la hora vs tiempo

English speakers use 'time' for both, but Spanish uses 'hora' for clock time and 'tiempo' for general time or weather.

la hora vs ahora

'Ahora' means 'now', while 'la hora' means 'the hour'. They sound similar but have different functions.

la hora vs orar

The verb 'orar' (to pray) looks like 'hora' but is unrelated.

관용어 및 표현

"La hora de la verdad"

— The moment of truth; a decisive moment.

Ahora llega la hora de la verdad.

neutral

"A buenas horas"

— Used sarcastically to mean 'it's about time' or 'too late'.

¡A buenas horas vienes a ayudar!

informal

"No ver la hora"

— To look forward to something; to not be able to wait.

No veo la hora de irme de vacaciones.

neutral

"Matar las horas"

— To kill time; to do something to make time pass.

Estaba matando las horas en el aeropuerto.

informal

"Llegarle a uno su hora"

— To meet one's fate or to die.

Al final, a todos nos llega nuestra hora.

literary

"A la hora de"

— When it comes to; at the moment of doing something.

A la hora de la verdad, nadie me ayudó.

neutral

"En horas bajas"

— Going through a rough patch or a period of decline.

El equipo está en horas bajas.

neutral

"Hacer horas"

— To work extra hours or simply to pass time at work.

Tengo que hacer horas para terminar el informe.

neutral

"Hora hache"

— The zero hour; the exact moment a plan starts.

Mañana a la hora hache empezaremos el ataque.

military/informal

"Estar de buena hora"

— To be early or to have plenty of time.

Estamos de buena hora, no corras.

colloquial

혼동하기 쉬운

la hora vs tiempo

Both translate to 'time' in English.

'Hora' is for the clock and specific 60-minute units. 'Tiempo' is the abstract concept or weather.

No tengo tiempo (I don't have time) vs ¿Qué hora es? (What time is it?)

la hora vs ahora

Contains the word 'hora' and relates to time.

'Ahora' is an adverb meaning 'now'. 'Hora' is a noun meaning 'hour'.

Ahora es la hora de comer.

la hora vs horario

Related root word.

'Horario' is the schedule or timetable, not the individual hour.

Mira el horario de trenes.

la hora vs vez

Can sometimes mean 'time' as in 'one time'.

'Vez' refers to occurrences or instances, not clock time.

Una vez (one time) vs Una hora (one hour).

la hora vs momento

Refers to a point in time.

'Momento' is a brief, often emotional point. 'Hora' is a specific clock measurement.

En este momento no sé la hora.

문장 패턴

Es la una + [complemento]

Es la una de la tarde.

Son las + [número] + [complemento]

Son las cinco de la mañana.

A las + [número] + [verbo]

A las ocho desayuno.

Hace + [tiempo] + que + [verbo]

Hace una hora que espero.

Hora de + [infinitivo]

Es hora de estudiar.

A estas horas + [frase]

A estas horas ya está cerrado.

A la hora de + [sustantivo/infinitivo]

A la hora de la verdad, huyó.

[Sustantivo] + de la hora + [adjetivo]

La fugacidad de la hora presente.

어휘 가족

명사

horario

horero

horómetro

형용사

horario

사용법

frequency

Extremely frequent; one of the top 500 words in Spanish.

자주 하는 실수

¿Qué tiempo es? → ¿Qué hora es?
You cannot use 'tiempo' to ask for the time on a clock. 'Tiempo' is for general time or weather.
Es las dos. → Son las dos.
The verb must be plural for any hour other than one.
A el una. → A la una.
'Hora' is feminine, so it must take the feminine article 'la'.
En las cinco. → A las cinco.
To say 'at' a certain time, Spanish uses the preposition 'a', not 'en'.
Mucho horas. → Muchas horas.
Adjectives must agree in gender with the feminine noun 'horas'.

팁

Verb Agreement

Always match the verb 'ser' to the number of hours. Singular for 1, plural for 2-12. This is the most common mistake for beginners.

Hora vs Tiempo

If you can replace 'time' with 'clock time' in English, use 'hora'. If you mean 'the concept of time', use 'tiempo'.

24-Hour Clock

Get used to the 24-hour clock for schedules. 15:00 is 'las quince' in a schedule, though you might say 'las tres' in conversation.

Silent H

The 'h' is silent! Imagine the word starts with the 'o'. Practicing this will make you sound much more native.

Spelling

Don't forget the 'h' when writing, even if you don't say it. It's 'hora', not 'ora'.

Moment of Truth

Use 'la hora de la verdad' to describe a high-stakes moment. It adds a nice dramatic flair to your Spanish.

The Tapped R

The 'r' in 'hora' is a single tap. It's not a trill like 'perro', just a quick touch of the tongue.

Time Markers

Listen for 'de la mañana' or 'de la tarde' to know if someone means AM or PM in a 12-hour context.

Asking Politely

To be more polite when asking for the time, start with 'Perdone' or 'Disculpe'.

Check the Clock

Look at your watch and say the time in Spanish every hour. It's the best way to internalize the numbers and the grammar.

암기하기

기억법

Think of an 'ORACLE' (hORAcle) telling you the time. The 'h' is silent, just like the 'h' in 'hour' in English!

시각적 연상

Imagine a giant clock face where the numbers are made of gold, and the word 'HORA' is written across the center in glowing letters.

Word Web

Reloj Minuto Segundo Día Mañana Tarde Noche Puntualidad

챌린지

Try to say the time in Spanish every time you look at a clock for the next 24 hours. Start with 'Es la...' or 'Son las...'.

어원

Derived from the Latin 'hora', which itself comes from the Greek 'hōra' (ὥρα).

원래 의미: In Greek, it referred to any limited period of time, such as a season, a day, or a part of the day.

Indo-European -> Italic -> Romance -> Spanish.

문화적 맥락

Be aware that being strictly 'on the hour' (puntual) is highly valued in business but can be seen as slightly stiff in casual social settings in some regions.

English speakers often use 'time' for both duration and clock time, whereas Spanish strictly uses 'hora' for the clock.

La hora de la verdad (The Moment of Truth) - common in bullfighting. A la hora señalada (High Noon) - Spanish title for the famous Western movie. Las horas - Spanish title for the movie/book 'The Hours'.

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실제 사용 상황

At the airport

¿A qué hora sale el vuelo?
La hora de embarque
Hora de llegada estimada
El vuelo viene en hora

At work

¿A qué hora es la reunión?
Mi hora de salida es a las seis
Tengo que hacer horas extras
El horario de oficina

Socializing

¿A qué hora quedamos?
Ya es hora de irnos
No tengo hora
Nos vemos a la hora de siempre

General information

¿Qué hora es?
¿Tiene hora?
La hora exacta
Cambio de hora

Cooking

Cocinar por una hora
Hora de comer
A fuego lento una hora
Media hora de reposo

대화 시작하기

"¿A qué hora sueles levantarte los fines de semana?"

"¿Prefieres trabajar por la mañana o a última hora de la tarde?"

"¿Qué haces cuando tienes una hora libre inesperada?"

"¿A qué hora es la mejor comida del día en tu país?"

"¿Crees que la hora punta en esta ciudad es muy mala?"

일기 주제

Describe cómo pasas las primeras horas de tu mañana desde que te despiertas.

¿Cuál es tu hora favorita del día y por qué te gusta tanto ese momento?

Escribe sobre una vez que llegaste tarde a una cita importante. ¿Qué hora era?

Si pudieras añadir una hora extra al día, ¿en qué la usarías?

Reflexiona sobre la frase 'la hora de la verdad'. ¿Has tenido algún momento así?

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

In Spanish, the verb 'ser' must agree with the number of hours. Since 'una' is singular, we use 'es'. Since 'dos, tres, etc.' are plural, we use 'son'. This is a fundamental rule of Spanish time-telling.

'Hora' is always feminine. That is why we use 'la' and 'las', and why we say 'la una' (feminine) instead of 'el uno'.

You use the preposition 'a' followed by the definite article: 'a las cinco'. Never use 'en las cinco' as it is a direct translation from English that doesn't work in Spanish.

'Hora punta' is the Spanish equivalent of 'rush hour'. It refers to the times of day when traffic is heaviest, usually when people are going to or leaving work.

No, you must use 'tiempo' to talk about the weather. For example, '¿Qué tiempo hace?' means 'How is the weather?'.

It is an idiomatic expression, often used sarcastically, to mean 'too late' or 'now you tell me'. For example, if someone offers help after the job is done, you might say '¡A buenas horas!'.

Usually, yes, but it can also mean 'the time' in a general sense or refer to a specific moment like 'la hora de la verdad' (the moment of truth).

You say 'las dos y media'. 'Media' here means half of an hour.

'Hora' is an individual hour or the current time. 'Horario' is a schedule, like a work schedule or a school timetable.

No, in standard Spanish, the 'h' is always silent. Pronouncing it would be a significant error.

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