Is it "Era" or "Fue"?

Question

If I want to ask what time it was, do I say "¿Qué hora fue?" or "Qué hora era?"

Please complete your profile as it relates to language. - ray76, Jun 9, 2016

Answer 1

For indicating the time of a past event, one uses the imperfect conjugation (in this case, "era").

Answer 2

Hello Omar,

Welcome to the SpanishDict forum

You asked:

If I want to ask what time it was, do I say "¿Qué hora fue?" or "Qué hora era?"

I have always been taught and have understood that you use the imperfect indicative of the verb ser to talk about the time in the past:

so... Question: ¿Qué hora era? = What time was it?

Answer: Eran las siete = It was seven o' clock

This is backed up by the authors of the Barron's 501 Spanish verbs who are talking about the imperfect indicative (page 16)

This is a past tense. Imperfect suggests incomplete. The imperfect tense expresses an action or state of being that was continuous in the past and and its completeion is not indicated This tense is used, therefore, to express.... ( c) The time of day in the past: examples 1 ¿Qué hora era? What time was it ? 2. Eran las tres = It was three o'clock

I hope this helps

It's backed up by my textbooks as well. I personally approve it. :) - Daniela2041, Jun 9, 2016

However it is "eran" las siete. Just like you would say "son" las siete in the present. - Daniela2041, Jun 9, 2016

Thank you, Daniela :) I realized my mistake and corrected probably while you were writing your comment! Thank you anyway! ;) - FELIZ77, Jun 9, 2016

De acuerdo, Feliz! Saludos! - LuisCache, Jun 9, 2016

Gracias, Luis Saludos :) - FELIZ77, Jun 9, 2016

Answer 3

It depends on context.