Cómo decir la hora en español básico

What does “cuarto para las tres” mean in Spanish?

Most textbooks teach 2:45 as “las tres menos cuarto” — subtract a quarter from three. But across Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela and much of Latin America you count up to the next hour instead: “cuarto para las tres,” a quarter for/toward three. The same logic gives “diez para las dos” (1:50). It mirrors English “quarter to,” so it often feels more intuitive to learners than Spain’s “menos.”

“Menos cuarto” (Spain, Argentina) and “para las” (most of Latin America) are both correct; pick one and stay consistent. Note “es la una” (singular, one o’clock) but “son las dos” (plural for every other hour). On the half hour everyone agrees: “las dos y media.”