Spanish Phrase
¿Qué tal a las 6?
Meaning
This phrase is a common way to propose or suggest a specific time for a meeting or event. It uses 'qué tal' to mean 'how about' or 'what do you think of', making the suggestion sound casual and collaborative. It is a very flexible structure that can be adapted to any time by simply changing the number.
When to use
Use this when you are coordinating plans with friends, family, or colleagues in an informal or semi-formal setting. It is perfect for following up on a general plan with a specific time proposal.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Qué talalas6?
Qué tal
In this context, 'qué tal' acts as a suggestion marker meaning 'how about' rather than its usual meaning of 'how are you'.
A las
Spanish uses 'a las' before numbers to indicate time because 'horas' (hours) is a feminine plural noun.
🗨In Conversation
¿Quieres tomar un café hoy?
Do you want to have a coffee today?
¡Claro! ¿Qué tal a las 6?
Sure! How about at 6?
✕Common Mistakes
¿Qué tal en las 6?
Spanish uses the preposition 'a' to indicate a specific point in time, whereas 'en' is used for months or years.
¿Cómo tal a las 6?
While 'cómo' means 'how', 'qué tal' is the fixed idiomatic expression used for making suggestions.
↔Alternatives
¿Te parece bien a las 6?
Does 6 work for you?
¿Quedamos a las 6?
Shall we meet at 6?
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, social time is fluid, but '¿Qué tal a las...?' is the standard way to start the negotiation. If you are meeting in the evening, it is common to clarify 'de la tarde' to avoid any confusion with the early morning.