How to Say "quarter" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “quarter” is “cuarto” — use 'cuarto' when referring to one of four equal parts, most commonly for time (e.g., a quarter past the hour) or a fractional amount.
cuarto
KWAR-tohˈkwaɾ.to
Examples
Son las cinco y cuarto.
It's a quarter past five.
Falta un cuarto para las diez.
It's a quarter to ten.
Necesito un cuarto de kilo de jamón.
I need a quarter of a kilo of ham.
Telling Time with 'Cuarto'
To say 'quarter past' the hour, you use 'y cuarto'. To say 'quarter to' the hour, you use 'menos cuarto'. For example, 2:15 is 'las dos y cuarto' and 2:45 is 'las tres menos cuarto'.
barrio
BAH-rryoˈba.rjo
Examples
¿En qué barrio vives de Madrid?
Which neighborhood of Madrid do you live in?
Este barrio tiene muchas tiendas pequeñas y cafés.
This district has many small shops and cafes.
El ayuntamiento está planeando mejorar los parques del barrio residencial.
The city council is planning to improve the parks in the residential neighborhood.
Masculine Noun Rule
Since 'barrio' is a masculine noun, always use the masculine articles: 'el barrio' (the neighborhood) or 'un barrio' (a neighborhood).
Confusing 'barrio' and 'pueblo'
Mistake: “Using 'barrio' when referring to a small, separate town.”
Correction: A 'barrio' is a part of a larger city. If it's a small town outside a major city, use 'pueblo'.
trimestre
tree-MES-trehtɾiˈmestɾe
Examples
Estamos en el primer trimestre del año.
We are in the first quarter of the year.
Mis notas mejoraron mucho en este segundo trimestre.
My grades improved a lot in this second term.
Las empresas presentan sus resultados cada trimestre.
Companies present their results every quarter.
Always Masculine
Even though it refers to a period of time, 'trimestre' is always a 'boy' word. Always use 'el' or 'un' with it: 'el trimestre' or 'un trimestre'.
Making it Plural
To talk about more than one, simply add an 's' at the end: 'los trimestres'.
Using 'cuarto' for time
Mistake: “El primer cuarto del año.”
Correction: El primer trimestre del año.
Confusion with 4 months
Mistake: “Un trimestre tiene cuatro meses.”
Correction: Un trimestre tiene tres meses.
periodo
peh-ree-OH-dohpeˈɾjoðo
Examples
El primer periodo escolar comienza en septiembre.
The first school term starts in September.
Solo quedan dos minutos en el último periodo del partido.
There are only two minutes left in the last quarter of the game.
El presidente tiene un periodo de mandato de cuatro años.
The president has a four-year term of office.
Context is Key
When talking about school, 'periodo' often refers to the entire 'semester' or 'term,' not just a single class session (which is usually 'clase' or 'hora').
cora
ko-rahˈko.ɾa
Examples
¿Me prestas una cora para el bus?
Can you lend me a quarter for the bus?
El pan cuesta una cora cada uno.
The bread costs a quarter each.
Tengo cuatro coras en mi bolsillo.
I have four quarters in my pocket.
Feminine for Money
Unlike the slang for 'heart', the coin 'cora' is feminine (la cora) because it refers to 'la moneda' (the coin).
Mixing up Coras
Mistake: “Asking for 'el cora' in a shop.”
Correction: Ask for 'una cora'. Using 'el cora' makes it sound like you're asking for someone's heart instead of their change!
peseta
peh-SEH-tahpeˈseta
Examples
¿Tienes una peseta para la máquina?
Do you have a quarter for the machine?
La guagua cuesta una peseta.
The bus costs twenty-five cents.
Regional Meaning
In Puerto Rico and Cuba, this word refers to a coin worth 25 cents (a quarter), not the old Spanish currency.
Coin vs. Time vs. Place
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.