Spanish Phrase
Son las ocho menos cuarto.
Meaning
The sentence tells you that the time is 7:45 – fifteen minutes before eight o’clock. In Spanish, the 'menos' construction is a common, concise way to express minutes to the next hour.
When to use
Use this phrase whenever you need to give the current time in everyday conversation, on the phone, or when reading a schedule. It is informal but perfectly acceptable in most spoken contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Sonlasochomenoscuarto
Ser (Son)
Use the verb 'ser' in the third‑person plural form 'son' to tell the time when the hour is 2 or higher.
Definite article (las)
The feminine plural article 'las' is used with hour numbers (except 'una' which uses 'la').
Cardinal number (ocho)
Cardinal numbers name the hour; here 'ocho' means eight.
Preposition 'menos'
In time expressions, 'menos' works like 'to' in English, indicating minutes before the next hour.
Quarter (cuarto)
'Cuarto' literally means 'quarter' and refers to 15 minutes; it stays singular even after 'menos'.
🗨In Conversation
¿Qué hora es?
What time is it?
Son las ocho menos cuarto.
It's quarter to eight.
✕Common Mistakes
Es las ocho menos cuarto.
Use 'son' for hours 2‑12; 'es' is only correct for 1 o’clock.
Son las ocho menos cuartos.
'Cuarto' stays singular after 'menos'; the plural is incorrect.
A las ocho menos cuarto.
The preposition 'a' is unnecessary when simply stating the time.
↔Alternatives
Son las siete y cuarenta y cinco.
It's seven forty‑five.
Faltan quince minutos para las ocho.
There are fifteen minutes left until eight.
Son las ocho menos quince.
It's eight minus fifteen.
Cultural Tip
In most Spanish‑speaking countries people say 'menos cuarto' for 15 minutes before the hour, 'media' for half past, and 'cuarto' for a quarter past. Note that for 1 o’clock you say 'Es la una', not 'Son la una'. Some regions also use 'menos quince' instead of 'menos cuarto', but the latter is more idiomatic.