A question about time

Question

I just finished the lesson on time. It said for minutes use son las ____ y _____. (Son las tres y viente). For 15 minutes after use cuarto. (Son las tres y cuarto). My question is for 15 minutes until. In English I might say it is 3:45 or it is a quarter to 4. (Son las tres y cuarenta y cinco) (Son media para las cuatro).

My question is would a native spanish speaker say "a quarter to 4)? (Son media para las cuatro). The same with 20 or 25 minutes until etc.

Answer 1

• 3:35 - "veinticinco para las cuatro" - "tres treinta y cinco"
• 3:37 - "tres treinta y siete"
• 3:40 - "veinte para las cuatro" - "tres cuarenta"
• 3:45 - "un cuarto para las cuatro" - "tres cuarenta y cinco"

This is how we say time in Chile. In other countries may vary.

thank you. The lessons are good, but knowing what a native speaker says is better! - joeblaine, Apr 13, 2012

when it's "a quartes to x", it's "es un cuarto para las x", in singular, in other cases it's plural "son veinte para las x" - comunacho, Apr 13, 2012

Thank you comunacho! Your country is beautiful! "¿Su país es hermoso o su país es lindo, por favor?" - 0095ca4c, Apr 13, 2012

Thanks, Margheirte!. I send you a PM with the answer to your question. - comunacho, Apr 14, 2012

Answer 2

There are many different ways to express time. All would be correct. Here;s another. "faltan quince minutos para las cuartro." = It's a quarter to four.

thank you. The lesson only gave 1 way, which is fine, but I thought there were probably many ways. - joeblaine, Apr 13, 2012