the time of day

Question

Do I use "y" twice in the sentence "The time is 9:36 in the evening." I keep missing the example in the lesson.

Welcome to the forum, :) - 00494d19, Jul 30, 2011

Thank You Heidita! This program is awesome! - ducks250, Jul 30, 2011

Answer 1

9:36

Son las nueve y treinta y seis de la mañana

Mejor:

Son las diez menos veinticuatro.

Very colloquial:

son las nueve y media pasadas

oooh, I've never seen that before. I assume pasadas means "and a bit/a little past". Can I use it for cuarto as well? - bafalck, Jul 30, 2011

Answer 2

Son y cuarto pasadas, son y media pasadas, son la una pasadas..

Very interesting Heidita, that's a new expression for me. I usually hear the use of "y pico" to mean "a little bit past" where in English we would say "something".

Es la una y pico = It's one something.

Son las nueve y treinta y pico = It's nine thirty-something.

Answer 3

oooh, I've never seen that before. I assume pasadas means "and a bit/a little past". Can I use it for cuarto as well? - bafalck

Oh yes you can, I am glad you found that interesting.

Son y cuarto pasadas, son y media pasadas, son la una pasadas..

We use that all the time

Answer 4

Son y cuarto pasadas, son y media pasadas, son la una pasadas.

That is very interesting that the hour can be omitted.

In English, is that similar to someone asking for the time and being answered?:

It's a little past half past, or it's a little past a quarter 'til without mentioning the hour?

Answer 5

Yes, if you say

Son las nueve y treinta y seis por la noche.

No, not if you say

Son las diez menos veinticuatro por la noche