If this general rule is too vague for you, think of the acronym DOT. Ser is used for:

• Descriptions of a person or thing
• Origins of a person or thing
• Time

In this article we'll take a look at the T in DOT: Time. Let's get started!

Time with Ser

Ser is used to talk about time expressions involving days, dates, and hours.

Telling Time with Ser

There are several useful formulas for telling the time with ser in Spanish.

One O'Clock

Use these formulas for talking about la una(one o'clock), the only hour used with the third person singular form of ser. The following can all be used to say It's ___ o'clock or It's (hour) (minute).

• es + la + una (+ number of minutes)
• es + la + una (+ y + number of minutes)
• es + la + una (+ con + number of minutes)

This formula can be used to say It's (# of minutes) until/'til (a certain hour).

• es + la + una + menos + number of minutes

From Two to Twelve

Use these formulas for talking about the hours from two to twelve, which are used with the third person plural form of ser. The following can all be used to say It's ___ o'clock or It's (hour) (minute).

• son + las + number from two to twelve (+ number of minutes)
• son + las + number from two to twelve (+ y + number of minutes)
• son + las + number from two to twelve (+ con + number of minutes)

This formula can be used to say It's (# of minutes) until/'til (a certain hour).

• son + las + number from two to twelve + menos + number of minutes

Media y Cuarto

• To indicate that it's half past the hour in Spanish, use the phrase y media.
• To indicate that it's a quarter past the hour, use the phrase y cuarto.
• To indicate that it's a quarter 'til the hour, use the phrase menos cuarto.

Other Useful Time Expressions

• en punto= on the dot
• más o menos= around

Time Expressions with Estar

Some phrases that deal with time will use the verb estar. In such expressions the emphasis is on the state of affairs and roughly translates to How are we looking on time? or Where do we stand for time?.