With time telling, why is it una and not uno?

Question

When telling time, the feminine article (la, las) is used before the hour because it refers to "la hora," correct?

So why when we say, "Es la una," (It's one o'clock), is the Spanish word for one, una instead of uno? Is it female when telling time but male when counting?

Also, when saying, "Es la una y cinco", (It's five minutes past one) why would cinco not be cinca under that principle?

Even saying "Son las ocho" doesn't change to "Son las ocha."

Why is it una and not uno?

Please see my further comment below. - Jeremias, Jul 18, 2011

I read it. Thank you for posting. - kaizerkilborn, Jul 18, 2011

Answer 1

The number "uno" is the only one that changes genders. Numbers in the hundreds can be made m/f and plural if they are modifing fem. nouns, like, Doscientas casas se quemaron. But in numbers under 100, uno is the only one that changes genders.

There is one camel = Hay un camello. There is one house = Hay una casa.

If you try it with other numbers ending in o, like ocho, they won't change genders.

There are eight camels = Hay ocho camellos.

There are five houses = Hay cinco casas.

So yes it is feminine "Es la una" because the hour is feminine.

Answer 2

Nice question!

The reason that the femine article "la" or "las" is used is because it refers to the feminine noun hora/horas:

Es la una (hora del reloj).

Son las cuatro (horas del reloj).

I explained that part in my question about la or las referring to hora/horas, yes. But I was wondering not why we use son las or es la, but una for saying one o'clock instead of uno for one o'clock. - kaizerkilborn, Jul 18, 2011

Ah, then the fault is mine for poor explanation. The word hour is implied; it's not one, it's one (hour). So it is the article una that is used, not the number uno. Is that better? - Jeremias, Jul 18, 2011