Speaking the time between 12:00 AM and 12:59 AM using the 24 hour clock

Question

Thanks for the answers regarding the use of horas and minutos (use horas and minutos). Here is another area that I am just not sure of: When speaking the time of day between 12:01 AM and 12:59 AM using the 24 hour clock, should the word 'zero' (cero) be used or should the word 'twelve' (doce) be used? Example: Would this sentence be the most correct?: no hay ninguna cita disponible alrededor de cero horas y carenta y dos minutos de la manana.

Or would this sentence be the most correct?: no hay ninguna cita disponible alrededor de doce horas y carenta y dos minutos de la manana.

Or is this a case of either being acceptable by those who typically use and speak in the 24 hour format?

doce para la manana y veinticuatro para la noche. - annierats, Feb 20, 2014

Richard, do you work for an air-line? If so, I can see the need... - annierats, Feb 20, 2014

Answer 1

I think you should stick to what it is used in normal settings. The 24-hours format is only used by military personnel or maybe the police, but for all others, they use the regular (12-hour) format.

I totally agree. I have never , ever heard zero, in normal conversations. - annierats, Feb 20, 2014

Many channels in CR announce upcoming movies and shows using the 24 hour format. - 00551866, Feb 21, 2014

Te veo a las cero horas y ventiun minutos de 21 de Febrero, 2014. Totally corect. I remember soldiers saying that during the war in El Salvador. - juanmelgar, Feb 21, 2014

Answer 2

This does not answer your question either but

have a look anyway.

There are some good aswers. - annierats, Feb 20, 2014

Answer 3

Creo que sería mejor decir 'medianoche' o ' mediodía'. No tenemos ninguna cita disponible durante la noche, ni entre las doce y la una de la mañana.

This does not answer your question, sorry.

:) - ian-hill, Feb 20, 2014

Answer 4

The answer:

No hay ninguna cita disponible a las cero horas y cuarenta y dos minutos.

No hay ninguna cita disponible a a las cero horas con cuarenta y dos minutos.

No need to say mañana or madrugada. It is already understood if you use/say zero hours.