Inklingo

How to Say "time" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “time” is “tiempo” — use 'tiempo' when referring to time in a general sense, like duration, or the abstract concept of time..

tiempo🔊A1

Use 'tiempo' when referring to time in a general sense, like duration, or the abstract concept of time.

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hora🔊A2

Use 'hora' to talk about a specific point in time, like the time on a clock or the time an event starts.

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vez🔊A1

Use 'vez' when counting occurrences or referring to instances like 'one time', 'two times', or 'next time'.

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periodo🔊A1

Use 'periodo' to indicate a general duration or span of time, often for events or processes.

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ocasiónA2

Use 'ocasión' to refer to a specific instance or moment, similar to 'this time' or 'on this occasion'.

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épocaB1

Use 'época' to refer to a specific historical period, era, or a season dedicated to a particular activity.

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marca🔊B1

Use 'marca' specifically to mean a record or a mark, particularly in the context of races or competitions.

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English → Spanish

tiempo

/tyem-po//ˈtjempo/

NounA1General
Use 'tiempo' when referring to time in a general sense, like duration, or the abstract concept of time.
A sun on the left and a moon on the right of a simple landscape, representing the passage of time from day to night.

Examples

No tengo mucho tiempo libre.

I don't have a lot of free time.

¿Cuánto tiempo necesitas para terminar?

How much time do you need to finish?

El tiempo lo cura todo.

Time heals all wounds.

Hoy vamos a estudiar los tiempos verbales del pasado.

Today we are going to study the past verb tenses.

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'.

'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.

hora

/OH-rah//ˈoɾa/

NounA2General
Use 'hora' to talk about a specific point in time, like the time on a clock or the time an event starts.
A friendly doctor in a white coat shaking hands with a patient at the doorway of an office, symbolizing a scheduled appointment or meeting time.

Examples

¿A qué hora empieza la clase?

What time does the class start?

Ya es hora de cenar.

It's time for dinner now.

Tengo hora con la dentista el viernes.

I have an appointment with the dentist on Friday.

'Hora de' + Action

Use the pattern 'hora de + [the base form of a verb]' to say it's time to do something. For example, 'Es hora de estudiar' (It's time to study).

Confusing 'hora' and 'tiempo'

Mistake: “No tengo una hora para ayudarte.”

Correction: No tengo tiempo para ayudarte. Use 'hora' for clock time or appointments. Use 'tiempo' for the general concept of time or an amount of time.

vez

/bes//beθ/

NounA1General
Use 'vez' when counting occurrences or referring to instances like 'one time', 'two times', or 'next time'.
A person's finger pointing to the first of three simple icons on a list, signifying the first time or instance.

Examples

Había una vez un rey...

Once upon a time there was a king...

He leído este libro tres veces.

I have read this book three times.

La próxima vez, lo haré mejor.

Next time, I will do it better.

Counting with 'Vez'

Unlike the English word 'time', 'vez' is used for counting how many times something happens. Use 'una vez' for 'one time', not 'un vez', because 'vez' is a feminine word.

'Tiempo' vs. 'Vez'

Mistake: “Using 'tiempo' to count occurrences, like 'tres tiempos'.”

Correction: Use 'vez' for counting instances ('tres veces'). Use 'tiempo' for the general concept of time, like 'No tengo tiempo' (I don't have time).

periodo

peh-ree-OH-doh/peˈɾjoðo/

NounA1General
Use 'periodo' to indicate a general duration or span of time, often for events or processes.
A winding road stretching from a clearly marked starting point to an ending point in the distance, illustrating a duration of time.

Examples

El periodo de construcción duró tres meses.

The construction period lasted three months.

Necesitamos un periodo de prueba antes de decidir.

We need a trial period before deciding.

Este es un periodo muy importante para la compañía.

This is a very important time for the company.

Masculine Noun

Remember that 'periodo' is always a masculine noun, so use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el periodo.' This is true even though many words ending in '-o' in Spanish are masculine.

ocasión

NounA2General
Use 'ocasión' to refer to a specific instance or moment, similar to 'this time' or 'on this occasion'.

Examples

En esta ocasión, la cena será en un restaurante.

This time (or 'On this occasion'), dinner will be at a restaurant.

época

NounB1General
Use 'época' to refer to a specific historical period, era, or a season dedicated to a particular activity.

Examples

Estamos en la época de cosecha de uvas.

We are in the grape harvest season.

marca

MAR-cah/ˈmaɾka/

NounB1Sports/Competition
Use 'marca' specifically to mean a record or a mark, particularly in the context of races or competitions.
A joyful runner crossing a finish line ribbon that snaps dramatically, indicating a successful completion and a new record.

Examples

El nadador rompió la marca nacional.

The swimmer broke the national record.

Su mejor marca personal es de 10.5 segundos.

His personal best time is 10.5 seconds.

Verb Pairing

To talk about setting or achieving a record, use the verb 'establecer' (to establish). To beat a record, use 'romper' (to break) or 'superar' (to overcome).

tiempo

/tyem-po//ˈtjempo/

NounB2Music/Technical
In music, 'tiempo' refers to the tempo or the beat.
A sun on the left and a moon on the right of a simple landscape, representing the passage of time from day to night.

Examples

Hoy vamos a estudiar los tiempos verbales del pasado.

Today we are going to study the past verb tenses.

No tengo mucho tiempo libre.

I don't have a lot of free time.

¿Cuánto tiempo necesitas para terminar?

How much time do you need to finish?

El tiempo lo cura todo.

Time heals all wounds.

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'.

'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.

General Time vs. Specific Moments

The most frequent confusion is between 'tiempo' and 'hora'. Remember, 'tiempo' is the general concept of time or duration (like 'free time'), while 'hora' refers to a specific point on the clock (like '3 o'clock').

Related Translations

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