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"Son las doce" is a phrase which is often translated as "it's twelve o'clock", and "cuarenta" is an adjective which is often translated as "forty". Learn more about the difference between "son las doce" and "cuarenta" 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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cuarenta(
kwah
-
rehn
-
tah
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. forty (cardinal)
La montaña está a cuarenta millas de aquí.The mountain is forty miles from here.
b. fortieth (ordinal)
Celebraron su cuarenta aniversario de boda.They celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. forty
Diez por cuatro es igual a cuarenta.Ten times four is equal to forty.
a. forties
La última vez que un proyecto de infraestructura se completó en la ciudad fue en los años cuarenta.The last time a major infrastructure project was completed in the city was in the forties.
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