Spanish - Time Expressions (Latin America)

Lesson 146 of 159

A friendly clock and calendar illustration for learning Latin American time expressions in Spanish.

Goal: Short, handy ways to talk about now, later, and being late

Free Spanish lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Welcome! This short lesson focuses on common Latin American time phrases you’ll hear every day. Practice listening, repeating, and using them in small conversations.

Level A1: In this CEFR-aligned mini-lesson (146) you'll learn 10 practical Spanish time phrases used in Latin America — things like ahorita, en un rato, ya casi, and how to say when you'll arrive. You'll hear them in a short dialogue, practice with quizzes and matching, and say each phrase out loud.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Recognize and use 10 everyday Latin American time expressions.
  • Understand subtle differences like ahorita vs. ahora mismo vs. más tarde.
  • Practice saying each phrase aloud to build speaking confidence.
Two friends messaging about plans, showing common Latin American time phrases to learn.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

Ahorita no puedo.

I can’t right now.

Meaning: I can’t right now.

When to use: Use this when you are busy and can’t do something immediately.

Tip: People sometimes take 'ahorita' to mean only 'right now' — in Mexico it can also mean 'in a short while'.

Ahorita no puedo, estoy en clase.
I can’t right now; I’m in class.
¿Puedes hablar? — Ahorita no puedo, llamo después.
Can you talk? — I can’t right now, I’ll call later.

Al rato

Later.

Meaning: Later.

When to use: Short, casual way to say you’ll do something later.

Tip: Al rato and más tarde are similar; 'al rato' usually feels sooner than 'más tarde'.

¿Nos vemos al rato?
Shall we meet later?
Al rato termino y voy contigo.
I’ll finish later and go with you.

En un rato.

In a little while.

Meaning: In a little while.

When to use: Use to say you’ll do something after a short wait.

En un rato te llamo.
I’ll call you in a little while.
¿Vienes ahora? — No, en un rato salgo.
Are you coming now? — No, I leave in a little while.

Más tarde.

Later on.

Meaning: Later on.

When to use: Neutral phrase to postpone or suggest a later time.

Hablamos más tarde.
We’ll talk later on.
Puedo verlo más tarde, ¿te parece?
I can see it later on, does that work?

Ahora mismo.

Right now.

Meaning: Right now.

When to use: Use when you want to emphasize immediate action.

Ahora mismo lo hago.
I’m doing it right now.
Necesito eso ahora mismo.
I need that right now.

Ya casi

Almost there / almost done.

Meaning: Almost there / almost done.

When to use: Say this to indicate progress or near arrival/completion.

¿Dónde estás? — Ya casi.
Where are you? — Almost there.
Termino el trabajo, ya casi estoy listo.
I finish the work, I’m almost ready.

Todavía no.

Not yet.

Meaning: Not yet.

When to use: Answer when something hasn’t happened so far.

¿Llegó el pedido? — Todavía no.
Has the order arrived? — Not yet.
¿Terminaste? — Todavía no.
Are you finished? — Not yet.

Se me hizo tarde.

I ran late.

Meaning: I ran late.

When to use: Use to explain you were delayed, without blaming someone else.

Perdón, se me hizo tarde y no pude venir antes.
Sorry, I ran late and couldn’t come earlier.
Se me hizo tarde por el tráfico.
I ran late because of traffic.

Llego tarde.

I’ll be late / I’m arriving late.

Meaning: I’ll be late / I’m arriving late.

When to use: Tell someone you will arrive later than planned.

Voy saliendo, llego tarde.
I’m leaving now; I’ll be late.
Llego tarde, guarden la pizza.
I’ll be late, save some pizza.

Llego en ___ minutos.

I’ll arrive in ___ minutes.

Meaning: I’ll arrive in ___ minutes.

When to use: Use to give a short ETA for meetups or rides.

Tip: Make sure to add a number: 'Llego en ___ minutos.' — learners sometimes forget the number.

Llego en 10 minutos, ¿me esperas?
I’ll arrive in 10 minutes, will you wait for me?
Dicen que llegan en 30 minutos.
They say they’ll arrive in 30 minutes.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Planning a quick meetup after work

Close-up of Anna and David planning a meet-up, using phrases like 'Ahorita no puedo' and 'Llego en 10 minutos.'

What are Anna and David arranging?

Portrait of Anna in a Spanish lesson dialogue

Anna

Ahorita no puedo.

I can’t right now.

Portrait of David in a Spanish lesson dialogue

David

¿Al rato?

Later?

Portrait of Anna in a Spanish lesson dialogue

Anna

En un rato, sí. Ya casi termino.

In a little while, yes. I’m almost finished.

Portrait of David in a Spanish lesson dialogue

David

Perfecto. Llego en 10 minutos.

Perfect. I’ll arrive in 10 minutes.

Portrait of Anna in a Spanish lesson dialogue

Anna

Si no, hablamos más tarde.

If not, we’ll talk later.

Portrait of David in a Spanish lesson dialogue

David

Ok. Se me hizo tarde ayer, pero hoy llego a tiempo.

Ok. I ran late yesterday, but today I’ll arrive on time.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which Spanish phrase means 'Right now' (immediately)?

How do you say 'Not yet' in Spanish?

You were delayed and want to explain 'I ran late.' Which phrase fits?

If you want to tell a friend you will arrive in ten minutes, which phrase do you use?

You're busy and can't join a call now. You say: I can’t right now.

You're busy and can't join a call now. You say: ___

You are almost finished with a task. You tell a friend: Almost there.

You are almost finished with a task. You tell a friend: ___

You will arrive in five minutes. You say: I’ll arrive in 5 minutes.

You will arrive in five minutes. You say: ___

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

Ahorita no puedo.

I can’t right now.

Say this phrase out loud:

Al rato

Later.

Say this phrase out loud:

En un rato.

In a little while.

Say this phrase out loud:

Más tarde.

Later on.

Say this phrase out loud:

Ahora mismo.

Right now.

Say this phrase out loud:

Ya casi

Almost there / almost done.

Say this phrase out loud:

Todavía no.

Not yet.

Say this phrase out loud:

Se me hizo tarde.

I ran late.

Say this phrase out loud:

Llego tarde.

I’ll be late / I’m arriving late.

Say this phrase out loud:

Llego en ___ minutos.

I’ll arrive in ___ minutes.