alas + Spanish Number
Clock Time
Cebuano uses Spanish-derived numbers for clock time. Use ala una for 1:00 and alas + number for 2:00 through 12:00.
How It Works
In Cebuano, telling time is a hybrid system. The markers and numbers are Spanish, but the time-of-day descriptors are native Cebuano.
1. The Hour Markers
- Ala: Used exclusively for 1:00 (singular). Example: ala una.
- Alas: Used for all other hours (plural). Example: alas dos, alas diyes.
2. The Numbers
You must use Spanish-derived numbers. Common spellings include: una, dos, tres, kwatro, singko, sais, siyete, otso, nuwebe, diyes, onse, dose.
3. Adding Minutes
Minutes are linked to the hour using either the Spanish y (pronounced 'i') or the Cebuano ug.
- Alas dos y medya (2:30)
- Alas dos ug tunga (2:30)
- Alas dos y singko (2:05)
4. Time of Day
Since Cebuano uses a 12-hour clock, you usually add a descriptor:
- sa buntag: morning (6 AM – 11:59 AM)
- sa udto: noon (12 PM)
- sa hapon: afternoon (1 PM – 5:59 PM)
- sa gabii: evening/night (6 PM – 11:59 PM)
- sa kadlawon: dawn/early morning (1 AM – 5:59 AM)
Examples (4)
- Magkita ta alas dos sa hapon.
Let's meet at two o'clock in the afternoon.
Word by Word: Will-meet we at-the-hours two in-the afternoon.
Uses 'alas' because the hour is plural (2), followed by the time-of-day marker 'sa hapon'.
- Ala una na sa kadlawon.
It is already one o'clock in the early morning.
Word by Word: At-the-hour one already in-the dawn.
Uses 'ala' because the hour is singular (1). 'Kadlawon' refers to the very early hours before sunrise.
- Alas diyes y medya ang misa.
The mass is at ten-thirty.
Word by Word: At-the-hours ten and half the mass.
Demonstrates adding minutes using the Spanish linker 'y' and 'medya' (half).
- Niabot siya sa alas siyete sa gabii.
He/She arrived at seven o'clock in the evening.
Word by Word: Arrived he/she at-the at-the-hours seven in-the evening.
Shows the pattern used within a completed action sentence.
Common Mistakes
Using 'alas' for 1:00.
Alas una sa hapon.Ala una sa hapon.In Spanish grammar (which Cebuano follows for time), 'una' is singular, so it takes 'ala' instead of the plural 'alas'.
Using native Cebuano numbers for clock time.
Alas duha sa buntag.Alas dos sa buntag.Native numbers like 'duha' (two) are used for counting things or duration, and the Spanish-derived numbers are the usual choice for the time on a clock.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To tell time in Cebuano, you need to be familiar with Spanish-derived numerals, as the 'alas' system is borrowed directly from Spanish. Understanding the bilingual nature of Cebuano helps explain why these foreign numbers are used for specific functions like clock time.
Related Patterns
- Native Numbers
Native numbers are used for duration (e.g., 'two hours') rather than clock time (e.g., 'two o'clock').
Level 1 - y medyaHalf Past
A specific Spanish-derived term used with 'alas' to indicate the half-hour.
Level 2 - tungaHalf
The native Cebuano word for 'half', often used as an alternative to 'medya' when telling time.
Level 2 - Number + ka + NounCounting with Ka
This pattern is used for duration (e.g., 'tulo ka oras' - three hours), contrasting with clock time.
Level 1 - Maayong + Time Of DayGreetings
Uses the same time-of-day markers (buntag, hapon, gabii) used to clarify AM/PM in clock time.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice alas + Spanish Number in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Cebuano lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
