Spanish Phrase
Son las cuatro y media.
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to tell someone that the current time is 4:30. It literally translates to 'They are the four and a half,' following the Spanish rule of using plural verbs for hours other than one.
When to use
Use this phrase whenever someone asks for the time or when you are confirming a schedule. It is universal and works in both formal and informal situations.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Sonlascuatroymedia
Ser (son)
The plural form of the verb 'ser' is required for all hours from 2 to 12.
Las
The feminine plural article is used because it refers to 'las horas'.
Media
This term is used to denote thirty minutes, meaning 'half' of an hour.
🗨In Conversation
¿Perdone, qué hora es?
Excuse me, what time is it?
Son las cuatro y media.
It is four-thirty.
✕Common Mistakes
Es las cuatro y media.
Use 'son' for all hours except one o'clock, as hours are plural.
Son las cuatro y medio.
The word 'media' must be feminine to agree with the implied noun 'hora' (hour).
↔Alternatives
Son las cuatro con treinta.
It is four thirty.
Son las dieciséis treinta.
It is sixteen thirty (4:30 PM).
Cultural Tip
In most Spanish-speaking cultures, time is expressed using the 12-hour clock in daily conversation, but the 24-hour clock is very common for bus, train, and flight schedules. Using 'media' is much more common than saying 'treinta' when speaking.