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

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

puntualidad

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No translation

a la hora

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con tiempo de sobra

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justo a tiempo

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Synonyms

ser puntual

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no llegar tarde

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No translation

Antonyms

llegar tarde

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No translation

retrasarse

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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

llegar a término

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Commonality: 0%

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.

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.

a tiempo completo

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No translation

Commonality: 0%

Explanation: 'Llegar a tiempo' is about punctuality, while 'a tiempo completo' means 'full-time' (as in employment).

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'.