tiempo
/tyem-po/
Like the sun moving across the sky, 'tiempo' can refer to the general idea of time passing.
tiempo (Noun)
📝 In Action
No tengo mucho tiempo libre.
A1I don't have a lot of free time.
¿Cuánto tiempo necesitas para terminar?
A2How much time do you need to finish?
El tiempo lo cura todo.
B1Time heals all wounds.
💡 Grammar Points
Uncountable Noun
When talking about time in general, 'tiempo' doesn't usually have a plural form. You say 'mucho tiempo' (a lot of time), not 'muchos tiempos'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
'Tiempo' vs. 'Vez' vs. 'Hora'
Mistake: "Using 'tiempo' to mean 'one time' or 'o'clock'."
Correction: Use 'vez' for instances (una vez = one time) and 'hora' for the time on a clock (¿Qué hora es? = What time is it?). 'Tiempo' is for the concept of time itself.
⭐ Usage Tips
Asking 'How long?'
To ask how long something takes or has been happening, use the phrase '¿Cuánto tiempo...?'. For example, '¿Cuánto tiempo llevas esperando?' (How long have you been waiting?).
'Tiempo' also describes the state of the sky and the air around us, which we call the weather.
tiempo (Noun)
📝 In Action
¿Qué tiempo hace hoy?
A1What's the weather like today?
Hace buen tiempo para ir a la playa.
A1It's nice weather to go to the beach.
El pronóstico del tiempo dice que lloverá mañana.
A2The weather forecast says it will rain tomorrow.
💡 Grammar Points
Use 'Hacer' for Weather
To describe the weather, you almost always use the verb 'hacer' (to do/make). For example, 'Hace sol' (It's sunny) or 'Hace frío' (It's cold).
❌ Common Pitfalls
'Tiempo' vs. 'Clima'
Mistake: "Using 'clima' for the daily weather."
Correction: Use 'tiempo' for the weather on a specific day ('el tiempo de hoy'). Use 'clima' for the typical weather pattern of a region over a long period ('el clima tropical').
We can also use 'tiempo' (or often, the plural 'tiempos') to talk about a specific period or era in history.
tiempo (Noun)
📝 In Action
En tiempos de los romanos, la vida era muy diferente.
B1In Roman times, life was very different.
En mis tiempos de estudiante, leía mucho.
B1In my student days, I read a lot.
Es tiempo de cosecha.
B2It's harvest time.
⭐ Usage Tips
Plural 'Tiempos'
This meaning often uses the plural form 'tiempos' to refer to a general period, like in 'los buenos tiempos' (the good old days).
In grammar, 'tiempo' refers to when an action happens: in the past, present, or future.
tiempo (Noun)
📝 In Action
Hoy vamos a estudiar los tiempos verbales del pasado.
B1Today we are going to study the past verb tenses.
El primer tiempo del partido terminó en empate.
B2The first half of the match ended in a draw.
El director marcó el tiempo con su batuta.
C1The conductor marked the time with his baton.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
You'll almost always see this meaning in a specific context, like a language class ('tiempo verbal') or when talking about sports ('el segundo tiempo').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: tiempo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'tiempo' to talk about the weather?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'tiempo' mean both 'time' and 'weather'?
It comes from the Latin word 'tempus', which covered both meanings. Many Romance languages, like French ('temps') and Portuguese ('tempo'), kept this double meaning. Think of weather as 'the state of things at this time'.
What is the difference between 'tiempo', 'vez', and 'hora'?
It's a common point of confusion! Use 'tiempo' for time as a general concept ('I need more time'). Use 'hora' for the time on a clock ('It's 3 o'clock'). Use 'vez' for a specific instance or occasion ('I went there one time').
How do I say 'on time'?
The phrase for 'on time' is 'a tiempo'. For example, 'El tren llegó a tiempo' means 'The train arrived on time'.