alas + Spanish Number

Clock Time

Level 1

Filipino uses Spanish-derived numbers to tell time. The marker alas (or ala for 1:00) acts like 'o'clock' or 'at'.

How It Works

In Filipino, telling time is a unique blend of Spanish vocabulary and Filipino grammar.

1. The Markers and Hyphens:
According to standard orthography, a hyphen is always used to connect the marker to the number.

  • Ala-una: Used only for 1:00 (singular).
  • Alas-dos, Alas-tres, etc.: Used for all other hours (2 through 12).

2. The Numbers:
Filipino uses nativized Spanish numbers for time:

  • 1: una
  • 2: dos
  • 3: tres
  • 4: kuwatro
  • 5: singko
  • 6: sais
  • 7: siyete
  • 8: otso
  • 9: nuwebe
  • 10: diyes
  • 11: onse
  • 12: dose

3. Adding Minutes:
To add minutes, you can simply say the number after the hour, or use the Spanish y (and):

  • Alas-dos bente: 2:20
  • Alas-tres y medya: 3:30 (medya means half)
  • Alas-singko y kuwarto: 5:15 (kuwarto means quarter)

4. Usage in Sentences:
This pattern is used to state the current time (often with na) or when an action happens (using nang).

5. Time of Day:
To specify AM or PM, add the time of day using the ng marker:

  • ng umaga: in the morning
  • ng tanghali: at noon
  • ng hapon: in the afternoon
  • ng gabi: in the evening
  • ng madaling-araw: in the early morning
  • ng hatinggabi: at midnight

Examples (4)

  1. Alas-dos na.

    It is already two o'clock.

    Word by Word: At-the-two already.

    A simple statement of the current time using the plural marker 'alas' and the particle 'na' (already/now).

  2. Ala-una ng hapon ang klase ko.

    My class is at one o'clock in the afternoon.

    Word by Word: At-the-one of afternoon the class my.

    Note the use of 'ala' instead of 'alas' because it is 1:00. 'Ng hapon' specifies it is PM.

  3. Aalis kami nang alas-siyete ng gabi.

    We will leave at seven o'clock in the evening.

    Word by Word: Will-leave we [adverb-marker] at-the-seven of evening.

    When indicating the time an action occurs, 'nang' is used before the 'alas' phrase.

  4. Alas-diyes na ng gabi pero gising pa siya.

    It's already ten o'clock at night but he is still awake.

    Word by Word: At-the-ten already of night but awake still he.

    This shows the pattern used in a compound sentence with 'ng gabi' to indicate the time of day.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'alas' for 1:00.

    Alas-una na.
    Ala-una na.

    Because 'one' is singular, you must use 'ala' instead of the plural 'alas'.

  • Using native Tagalog numbers for clock time.

    Alas-dalawa na.
    Alas-dos na.

    While 'dalawa' means 'two', clock time strictly uses the Spanish-derived 'dos' in standard Filipino.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

alas + Spanish NumberLevel 1Clock Time

Learn This First

To tell time in Filipino, you need to understand how the language integrates Spanish-derived numbers and the 'alas' marker. It is also helpful to be familiar with the general concept of how numbers modify nouns in Filipino syntax.

Words in This Pattern