Spanish Phrase
¿Tienes hora?
Meaning
This is a very common and idiomatic way to ask for the current time in Spanish. While it literally translates to 'Do you have hour?', it is the standard informal equivalent of asking 'What time is it?'. It is concise and used daily across the Spanish-speaking world.
When to use
Use this phrase in casual or everyday situations, such as when speaking to a friend, a colleague, or a stranger in a relaxed environment. It is slightly more informal than asking '¿Qué hora es?'.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Tieneshora?
Tener (Tienes)
The verb 'tener' means 'to have'. 'Tienes' is the informal 'tú' form used for friends or peers.
Lack of Article
In this specific idiom, the definite article 'la' is often omitted in Spain, making the phrase quicker and more natural.
🗨In Conversation
Perdona, ¿tienes hora?
Excuse me, do you have the time?
Sí, son las cinco en punto.
Yes, it is five o'clock sharp.
✕Common Mistakes
¿Tienes tiempo?
'Tiempo' refers to time as a concept or duration; use 'hora' when asking for the specific clock time.
¿Es hora?
'¿Es hora?' means 'Is it time (to do something)?' rather than asking what time it currently is.
↔Alternatives
¿Qué hora es?
What time is it?
¿Me da la hora, por favor?
Can you give me the time, please? (More formal)
Cultural Tip
In Spanish-speaking cultures, asking for the time is a natural social lubricant. Even if people have phones, asking '¿Tienes hora?' is a common way to initiate a brief, polite interaction. In Spain, it is almost always used without the definite article 'la', whereas in some Latin American countries, you might hear '¿Tienes la hora?'.