Need help telling time.

Question

Hey guys. I just can't seem to get how to tell time.

The biggest thing is the menos part. I can't understand what it means or how to tell time using it. If someone could help me with the time thing (especialy the menos part) that would be great!

Thanks guys!

Answer 1

James Santiago said:

I like the word archaic because quite a few people my age use this terminology "it's five and twenty past ten" here at the moment. Must be an age thing. I don't know how old you are, but I meant that it sounded like it came from the 18th century.

Actually, I kind of like the sound of it. Charming, in fact.

Yes, I do know the word archaic spans way back beyond my 65 years. Oops now you know how old I am.

Answer 2

I like the word archaic because quite a few people my age use this terminology "it's five and twenty past ten" here at the moment. Must be an age thing.

I don't know how old you are, but I meant that it sounded like it came from the 18th century.

Actually, I kind of like the sound of it. Charming, in fact.

Answer 3

James Santiago said:

James, in America do you say "five and twenty past" or "twenty five past" or are both terms used.

Only the latter. "Five and twenty" sounds archaic to our ears. (Not that there is anything wrong with it.)

I like the word archaic because quite a few people my age use this terminology "it's five and twenty past ten" here at the moment. Must be an age thing.

Answer 4

James, in America do you say "five and twenty past" or "twenty five past" or are both terms used.

Only the latter. "Five and twenty" sounds archaic to our ears. (Not that there is anything wrong with it.)

Answer 5

James Santiago said:

To add to samdie's post, I'll say that it is also translated as "to" or "till," as in "It's five to/till seven."

Also, you will often hear things like "Son las cinco con veinticuatro minutos," meaning it's 5:24.

James, in America do you say "five and twenty past" or "twenty five past" or are both terms used.

Answer 6

To add to samdie's post, I'll say that it is also translated as "to" or "till," as in "It's five to/till seven."

Also, you will often hear things like "Son las cinco con veinticuatro minutos," meaning it's 5:24.

Answer 7

"menos" in the time-telling context may be thought of as meaning "minus" (literally) and being used like "before" as in the English "it's five minutes before three" = "son las tres menos cinco" (one could also say "faltan cinco minutos para las tres").