Ser for Time, Dates, and Events
Quick Answer: Ser is used for telling time, stating dates, and indicating when/where events take place.
Telling time and expressing dates in Spanish
Category: Ser vs Estar
The Rule
Ser is used for telling time, stating dates, and indicating when/where events take place.
Why This Matters
Time and dates are considered objective facts in Spanish, not temporary conditions, so they use ser. The verb agrees in number with the hour: 'Es la una' (1:00) but 'Son las dos' (2:00).
Examples
• Son las tres de la tarde. — "It is three in the afternoon." [Plural verb for hours 2-12] • Es la una y media. — "It is one thirty." [Singular verb for 1 o'clock] • Hoy es martes. — "Today is Tuesday." [Days of the week] • La boda es el sábado. — "The wedding is on Saturday." [Event timing]
Common Mistakes
❌ Están las cinco. ✅ Son las cinco. → Time always uses ser, never estar. And the subject is 'las cinco' (the five hours). ❌ Hoy está lunes. ✅ Hoy es lunes. → Days and dates are facts expressed with ser.
Quick Tip
For 1:00, use 'Es la una.' For all other hours, use 'Son las [number].' The verb matches the number of hours.
For 1:00, use 'Es la una.' For all other hours, use 'Son las [number].' The verb matches the number of hours.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: Están las cinco. → Correct: Son las cinco.. Time always uses ser, never estar. And the subject is 'las cinco' (the five hours).
Incorrect: Hoy está lunes. → Correct: Hoy es lunes.. Days and dates are facts expressed with ser.
Quiz
How do you say 'It is 8:00 PM'?