What time is it
A very common, slightly more informal alternative. Used interchangeably with the main phrase in most of Latin America.
A polite way to ask a stranger, literally 'Do you have the time?'. Use '¿Tiene hora?' for formal 'you' (usted).
A very polite and slightly more formal phrase: 'Can you tell me the time, please?'.
Excuse me, sir, what time is it?
Friend, do you have the time? My cellphone has no battery.
Mom, what time is it? I need to go to school.
Pardon me, can you tell me the time? I think my watch is wrong.
Both '¿Qué hora es?' (singular) and '¿Qué horas son?' (plural) are used throughout the Spanish-speaking world. '¿Qué hora es?' is grammatically considered more correct, but '¿Qué horas son?' is extremely common in everyday, informal speech in nearly every country.
'¿Qué hora es?' is the standard. As in Latin America, '¿Qué horas son?' is also heard in casual conversation.
Both '¿Qué hora es?' and '¿Qué horas son?' are extremely common and used interchangeably in daily life.
Usage is identical to Mexico; both singular and plural forms are very frequent.
'¿Qué hora es?' is standard, but '¿Qué horas son?' is also very common in casual speech. No significant regional difference for this phrase.
Saying '¿Qué tiempo es?' — This is a direct translation that is incorrect. 'Tiempo' means 'time' as in a duration (mucho tiempo) or 'weather'. For the time on a clock, you must use 'hora'. The correct phrase is '¿Qué hora es?'.
Using the verb 'estar' instead of 'ser'. — Telling time uses the verb 'ser'. Saying '¿Qué hora está?' is wrong. Always use 'es' (for one o'clock) or 'son' (for all other hours). Correct: '¿Qué hora es?'.
Confusing 'es la una' and 'son las dos'. — When answering, you must use the singular 'es la' only for one o'clock ('Es la una'). For all other hours, use the plural 'son las' ('Son las dos', 'Son las cinco', etc.). Saying '*Son las una*' is a common beginner error.
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