➖🕔

How to Say ‘It's quarter to five.’ in Spain Spanish

Son las cinco menos cuarto.

sohn lahs THEEN-ko MEH-nohs KWAR-toh

[sohn lahs THEEN-ko MEH-nohs KWAR-toh]

Phrase Breakdown

Son las cinco

sohn lahs THEEN-ko

It's five (o'clock)

First say the upcoming hour. The minutes are subtracted from it next.

Example

Son las cinco en punto.

It's five o'clock sharp.

Words in this phrase

Son

[sohn]

they are / it is

Used to give a price in Spanish.

Example

Son cinco euros por dejar el coche en la entrada.

It is five euros to leave the car at the entrance.

las

[lahs]

the (feminine plural)

Definite article used with feminine plural nouns (e.g., las religiones). It specifies which ones you mean.

Example

En un diálogo interreligioso, escuchamos a Las personas con respeto.

In an interfaith dialogue, we listen to the people with respect.

cinco

[THEEN-ko]

five

Numeral represented by 5.

Example

Trabajo cinco días a la semana.

I work five days a week.

menos cuarto.

MEH-nohs KWAR-toh

minus a quarter (quarter to)

'Menos' (minus) gives the time before the hour, so this means quarter to five. Say 'MEH-nos KWAR-to'.

Example

Salgo a las dos menos cuarto.

I leave at quarter to two.

Words in this phrase

menos

[MEH-nohs]

to (before the hour)

Subtracts minutes from the hour when telling time.

Example

Son las dos menos cuarto.

It's quarter to two.

cuarto

[KWAR-toh]

quarter

Fifteen minutes when telling the time.

Example

Es la una menos cuarto.

It's quarter to one.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“This app is my secret weapon in Barcelona! Just enough to go about daily life and no more feeling lost or helpless while my husband and I live abroad.”

Michelle C., 30, Mom of Two

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer

“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”

Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager