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"Son las doce" is a phrase which is often translated as "it's twelve o'clock", and "cinco" is an adjective which is often translated as "five". Learn more about the difference between "son las doce" and "cinco" below.
son las doce(
sohn
 
lahs
 
doh
-
seh
)
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
phrase
a. it's twelve o'clock
¿Qué hora es, por favor? - Son las doce.What time is it, please? - It's twelve o'clock.
b. it's midnight (at night)
¿Estás loco? Yo ya no salgo. ¡Son las doce de la noche!Are you crazy? I'm not going out. It's midnight!
c. it's noon (at midday)
Son las doce y esta es la hora a la que la gente empieza a almorzar en este país.It's noon and this is the time people start having lunch in this country.
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cinco(
seeng
-
koh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. five
Hay cinco árboles en frente de la casa.There are five trees in front of the house.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. five
Dos más tres son cinco.Two plus three equals five.
b. fifth (in dates)
Nuestros amigos llegarán el cinco de febrero.Our friends will be arriving on February fifth.
3. (minimal amount)
Regionalism used in Chile
(Chile)
a. five cents
No le pidas nada porque ni tiene un cinco.Don't ask him for anything because he doesn't even have five cents.
4. (five-cent piece)
Regionalism used in Chile
(Chile)
Regionalism used in Costa Rica
(Costa Rica)
a. five-cent piece
Mi abuelo me dio este cinco de colección.My grandfather gave me this five-cent piece as a collector's item.
5. (marble)
Regionalism used in Guatemala
(Guatemala)
a. marbles
Pepe, ¿quieres jugar al cinco conmigo?Pepe, do you want to play marbles with me?
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