llegar a tiempo
Lemma Details
Translation: to arrive on time; to be on time; to make it in time
Part of Speech: phrase
Etymology: This phrase combines 'llegar' (to arrive, to reach) with the prepositional phrase 'a tiempo' (on time). 'Llegar' comes from Latin 'plicare' meaning 'to fold, bend' which evolved to mean 'to arrive' in Vulgar Latin. 'Tiempo' derives from Latin 'tempus' (time), which is related to English words like 'temporal' and 'temporary'.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Es importante llegar a tiempo a la entrevista de trabajo.
It's important to arrive on time for the job interview.
Si quieres llegar a tiempo, debes salir ahora.
If you want to arrive on time, you must leave now.
Llegamos a tiempo para ver el comienzo de la película.
We arrived on time to see the beginning of the movie.
Apenas llegué a tiempo para tomar el tren.
I barely made it in time to catch the train.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'llegar' as 'to leg it' (run) to get somewhere, and 'a tiempo' as 'at the time' you're supposed to be there.
- Imagine a clock with legs running to reach its destination before the hands hit a certain time.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
Punctuality expectations vary across Spanish-speaking countries. In business contexts, punctuality is generally expected, but in social settings, arriving 15-30 minutes late can be common and acceptable in many Latin American countries, a concept sometimes called 'la hora latina' (Latin time).
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'llegar a tiempo' means 'to arrive on time', 'llegar a término' means 'to come to term' or 'to reach completion', often used for pregnancies or projects.
Confused word:
El embarazo llegó a término sin complicaciones.
The pregnancy came to term without complications.
Notes: The preposition 'a' is used in both phrases but connects to different concepts: a specific moment (tiempo) versus a final state (término).
Mnemonic: 'Tiempo' relates to the clock (time), while 'término' relates to an endpoint or completion.
Explanation: 'Llegar a tiempo' is about punctuality, while 'a tiempo completo' means 'full-time' (as in employment).
This word:
Siempre intento llegar a tiempo a mis citas.
I always try to arrive on time to my appointments.
Notes: Both phrases use 'tiempo' but in different contexts: punctuality versus duration/extent of work.
Mnemonic: Think of 'completo' as 'complete time' (full-time) versus just being 'on time'.