Forgetting the 'A'
Mistake: “Asking '¿Qué hora abren?'”
Correction: ¿A qué hora abren?
How to say
What time do you open?
in Spanish¿A qué hora abren?
ah keh OR-ah AH-bren
This is the most common, natural way to ask business staff when they open. It literally means 'At what time do you (plural) open?' addressing the staff as a group.
Asking '¿A qué hora abren?' is essential for planning your shopping trips.
💬Other Ways to Say It
¿A qué hora abre?
★★★★★
ah keh OR-ah AH-breh
neutral🌍
Uses the singular form. It refers to 'the store' or 'the business' (it) rather than the people working there.
When to use: Interchangeable with the primary translation. Use this when you are thinking about the 'place' opening rather than the 'people' opening.
¿Cuál es el horario de apertura?
★★★☆☆
kwal ehs el or-AR-ee-oh deh ah-per-TOO-rah
formal🌍
A more formal way to ask 'What is the opening schedule?'.
When to use: Best for formal settings, emailing a business, or asking at an information desk (like at a hotel or museum).
¿Cuándo abren?
★★★★☆
KWAN-doh AH-bren
casual🌎 🇪🇸
Means simply 'When do you open?'. It is slightly less precise than asking for the specific hour.
When to use: Use in casual conversation or when you aren't sure if they open today at all.
¿A qué hora abrís?
★★★★☆
ah keh OR-ah ah-BREES
informal🇪🇸
Uses the 'vosotros' form found only in Spain. It addresses the staff as a group of peers.
When to use: Only in Spain. Use this at casual spots like a trendy bar, a small shop where you know the owner, or youth-oriented businesses.
¿Desde qué hora están abiertos?
★★★☆☆
DEHS-deh keh OR-ah ehs-TAN ah-bee-EHR-tohs
neutral🌎
Means 'From what time are you open?'. Focuses on the starting point of the day.
When to use: Useful when trying to plan your day and you want to know the earliest possible time you can arrive.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here is a quick guide to choosing the right phrase based on who you are talking to.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¿A qué hora abren? | Neutral/Standard | Any business, restaurant, or shop anywhere | Never - this is the safest option |
| ¿A qué hora abrís? | Informal (Spain) | Casual bars or shops in Spain | You are in Latin America or speaking to elderly staff |
| ¿Cuál es el horario? | Formal | Reception desks, official offices, or phone inquiries | You want a quick, casual answer |
📈Difficulty Level
Overall Difficulty:beginnerMaster in 10 minutes
Pronunciation2/5
Fairly easy. The 'H' in 'hora' is silent, and the 'r' is a soft tap, not a roll.
Grammar2/5
Standard question structure. The main challenge is remembering the preposition 'A' at the start.
Cultural Nuance2/5
Straightforward, just remember to add a polite greeting first.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering to say 'A qué hora' instead of just 'Qué hora'
- Understanding the time when they answer (numbers)
💡Examples in Action
Asking a shopkeeper before leaving the storeA1
Disculpe, ¿a qué hora abren mañana?
Excuse me, what time do you open tomorrow?
Calling a restaurant to make a reservationA2
Hola, quería saber a qué hora abre el restaurante para la cena.
Hi, I wanted to know what time the restaurant opens for dinner.
Asking a local or a hotel receptionist for general informationB1
¿Sabes a qué hora abren los bancos aquí?
Do you know what time the banks open here?
🌍Cultural Context
The 24-Hour Clock
While people usually speak in 12-hour time (saying 'las tres de la tarde'), written business hours on signs often use the 24-hour clock (15:00). If you ask what time they open and they say 'a las catorce' (at 14:00), just subtract 12 to get 2:00 PM.
The Split Schedule in Spain
In Spain and some parts of Latin America, smaller businesses often close for a few hours in the mid-afternoon (roughly 2 PM to 5 PM) for lunch/siesta. If you ask when they open, they might give you two times: the morning opening and the evening reopening.
Politeness Markers
In Spanish culture, it can feel abrupt to walk up to someone and immediately ask a question. It is customary to start with a greeting like 'Buenos días' (Good morning) or 'Disculpe' (Excuse me) before asking '¿A qué hora abren?'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Time with Weather
Mistake: “Asking '¿Qué tiempo abren?'”
Correction: ¿A qué hora abren?
Mixing up 'Open' (Verb vs. Adjective)
Mistake: “Asking '¿A qué hora abierto?'”
Correction: ¿A qué hora abren? (verb) OR ¿Cuándo está abierto? (adjective)
💡Pro Tips
Add 'Hoy' or 'Mañana'
To be perfectly clear, add 'hoy' (today) or 'mañana' (tomorrow) at the end of your question. Example: '¿A qué hora abren hoy?' This helps avoid confusion if hours change on weekends.
Look for the Sign 'Horario'
If you are standing outside a shop, look for a sign that says 'Horario' (Schedule/Hours). You might not even need to ask if you spot this key word!
🗺️Regional Variations
🌍
Latin America (General)
Preferred:¿A qué hora abren?
Pronunciation:Standard Latin American Spanish
Alternatives:
¿A qué hora empieza la atención?¿Desde qué hora atienden?
In Latin America, it is very common to refer to the business staff as 'ustedes' (plural you), so 'abren' is the standard. Using 'abre' (referring to the shop) is also perfectly fine.
⚠️ Note: Do not use 'vosotros' forms (abrís) here; it will sound very foreign.
🇪🇸
Spain
Preferred:¿A qué hora abrís? (Casual) / ¿A qué hora abren? (Polite)
Pronunciation:The 'c' and 'z' distinction doesn't apply to this specific phrase, but the tone is often more direct.
Alternatives:
¿Cuándo abrís?¿Qué horario tenéis?
Spain distinguishes between formal (ustedes) and informal (vosotros). In a cool clothing store or bar, '¿A qué hora abrís?' is very natural. In a bank or luxury hotel, stick to 'abren'.
⚠️ Note: Assuming shops are open at 3 PM. Many close for the afternoon break.
🇲🇽
Mexico
Preferred:¿A qué hora abren?
Pronunciation:Clear, standard pronunciation
Alternatives:
¿A qué hora empiezan a dar servicio?
Politeness is paramount in Mexico. It is almost mandatory to start with 'Hola, buenas tardes, disculpe...' before asking the question. Being too direct can be seen as rude.
💬What Comes Next?
They tell you the opening time
They say:
Abrimos a las nueve.
We open at nine.
→
You respond:
Perfecto, gracias.
Perfect, thank you.
You want to know when they close as well
They say:
Abrimos a las diez.
We open at ten.
→
You respond:
¿Y a qué hora cierran?
And what time do you close?
🔄How It Differs from English
In English, we can casually say 'What time do you open?' without a preposition. In Spanish, the structure is strictly 'AT what time...' (A qué hora...). Also, Spanish speakers often treat the business as a plural group of people ('abren' - they open/you guys open) rather than a singular entity ('it opens'), though both are understood.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
"What time is it?"
Why it''s different: This asks for the current clock time, not a scheduled event.
Use instead: ¿Qué hora es? (Current time) vs ¿A qué hora...? (Event time)
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say what time do you close
The natural counterpart to asking when they open.
How to say are you open
Useful for when you are standing right in front of the store.
Numbers 1 to 12 in Spanish
You need to understand the numbers to understand the answer they give you!
✏️Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz: What time do you open?
Question 1 of 3
Which small word must you include at the very beginning of the phrase?
Use phrases naturally, not mechanically
Knowing a phrase is one thing — using it at the right moment is another. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see phrases in the contexts where they actually belong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just say '¿A qué hora abre?' (singular)?
Yes, absolutely! 'Abre' refers to the store itself (it opens), while 'abren' refers to the staff (they open). Both are perfectly correct and understood everywhere.
What if I don't understand the time they tell me?
Don't panic! You can simply show them your phone screen with a time typed out, or ask '¿Puede escribirlo, por favor?' (Can you write it down, please?).
Is it 'qué hora' or 'qué horas'?
For this specific question, '¿A qué hora...?' (singular) is the standard grammar. In some regions, people might colloquially say '¿Qué horas son?' for the current time, but for opening times, keep it singular: 'hora'.
How do I ask if they are open right now?
Instead of asking for the time, simply ask: '¿Están abiertos?' (Are you guys open?) or '¿Está abierto?' (Is it open?).
📖Related Lessons
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