You look at your watch, you think about the past, you plan for next time. In English, the word "time" does it all. But in Spanish, you’ve got a team of words for the job: tiempo, vez, and hora.
Confusing? It can be at first. But don't worry! It’s one of those puzzles that, once you see the pattern, clicks into place forever.
Let’s break down these three essential words so you can stop guessing and start speaking with confidence.
1. Tiempo: The Big Picture & The Great Outdoors
Think of tiempo as the big, abstract, uncountable concept of time. It's the river of time that's always flowing. You use it when you're talking about duration, a period of time, or the general idea of time itself.
Use tiempo for:
- Duration: How long something takes.
- General Concept of Time: When you'd say "time" in a philosophical or general sense.
- Eras or Periods: The time of the Romans, for example.
Examples in Action:
- No tengo tiempo para leer este libro. (I don't have time to read this book.)
- El tiempo vuela cuando te diviertes. (Time flies when you're having fun.)
- Necesito más tiempo para terminar el proyecto. (I need more time to finish the project.)
Tiempo's Secret Identity
Here's a fun twist: tiempo also means weather! This is a super common usage, so it's a great one to lock in. Check out our vocabulary guide to talk more about the weather in Spanish. Context will always make it clear which "time" you're talking about.
- ¿Qué tiempo hace hoy? (What's the weather like today?)
- Hace buen tiempo para ir a la playa. (It's good weather to go to the beach.)
2. Vez: That One Time... or Two, or Three
If you can count it, it's probably vez (plural: veces). Vez refers to a specific instance, an occasion, or a turn. If you can ask "how many times?", vez is your answer.
Use vez for:
- Occurrences: The first time, next time, three times.
- Turns: It's my turn, your turn.
- Stories: "Once upon a time..."
Examples in Action:
- Esta es la primera vez que viajo a México. (This is the first time I've traveled to Mexico.)
- He visto esa película tres veces. (I have seen that movie three times.)
- ¡Nos vemos la próxima vez! (See you next time!)
Here are some must-know phrases with vez that you'll hear all the time:
| Spanish Phrase | English Meaning |
|---|---|
| una vez | once / one time |
| otra vez | again / another time |
| a veces | sometimes |
| tal vez | maybe / perhaps |
| en vez de | instead of |
| había una vez | once upon a time |
The last one, había una vez, is the classic start to countless fairy tales and stories in Spanish.
Which word fits? 'He visitado Madrid dos ______.'
3. Hora: Time on the Clock
This is the most straightforward of the three. Hora refers to the specific time of day—the numbers on a clock. It also means "hour." If you're talking about schedules, appointments, or asking someone what time it is, you need hora.
Use hora for:
- Telling Time: Asking or stating the time on the clock.
- Appointments & Schedules: The meeting is at 5 o'clock.
- Duration in Hours: The movie lasts two hours.
Examples in Action:
- ¿Qué hora es? (What time is it?)
- Son las tres y media. (It's 3:30.)
- La clase de español empieza a las nueve en punto. (The Spanish class starts at nine o'clock sharp.)
- Nos vemos en una hora. (See you in an hour.)
Notice how we use the verb ser to tell time? For a deeper dive, check out our guide on Ser vs. Estar.
A Common Mix-Up
A frequent mistake for English speakers is saying "¿Qué tiempo es?" to ask for the time. Remember, this actually asks, "What weather is it?" Always use ¿Qué hora es? to ask for the time on the clock.
Quick Reference Chart
Let's put it all together in one simple table.
| Word | Core Meaning | Use It For... | Key Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiempo | Uncountable Time / Duration | The general concept of time, weather | How much time? |
| Vez | Specific Instance | Counting occurrences (once, twice, etc.) | How many times? |
| Hora | Time on the Clock | Asking for the time, schedules, appointments | What time is it? |
Final Challenge!
Ready to test your new knowledge? Let's see how you do.
Mi abuelo siempre dice que el ______ es oro.
Mastering tiempo, vez, and hora is a huge step toward sounding more natural in Spanish. It just takes a little practice. The next time you listen to a Spanish song or watch a movie, pay attention to how these words are used.
And for more interactive practice that sticks, be sure to check out the lessons inside the InkLingo app. Happy learning!