vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Son las ocho" is a phrase which is often translated as "it's eight o'clock", and "cuarenta" is an adjective which is often translated as "forty". Learn more about the difference between "son las ocho" and "cuarenta" below.
son las ocho(
sohn
 
lahs
 
oh
-
choh
)
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
phrase
a. it's eight o'clock
Son las ocho, Rafael. Levántate ya, que hay que ir a la escuela.It's eight o'clock, Rafael. Get up now. You have to go to school.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
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.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.