Introduction
Knowing how to tell someone that there is still time can be useful in many everyday situations. This article explains natural ways to say We still have plenty of time in Spanish, with examples, pronunciation tips, and notes on register and usage. Perfect for beginner to intermediate learners who want to sound natural and confident.
- Common Spanish equivalents
- Short, casual alternatives
- Phrases with colloquial flavor
- Formal and polite options
- Negative constructions and subtleties
- Regional differences and word choice
- Common contexts and sample dialogues
- Pronunciation tips
- Useful variations and additions
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Practice phrases to memorize
- Conclusion
Common Spanish equivalents
The most direct translations convey the idea of having time left. Spanish offers several natural phrases depending on emphasis and context.
Basic and neutral phrase
The simplest way to say We still have plenty of time is Aún tenemos mucho tiempo. Use this in most situations when you want a clear, neutral statement.
Example:
Aún tenemos mucho tiempo, podemos repasar antes de salir.
Usage note: Aún and Todavía are often interchangeable. Both mean still, but aún can feel slightly more formal in some regions.
Using Todavía for everyday speech
A very common alternative is Todavía tenemos tiempo de sobra. This emphasizes that there is more than enough time left.
Example:
Todavía tenemos tiempo de sobra para llegar con calma.
Usage note: De sobra literally means more than enough or surplus, so it strengthens the idea of plenty.
Short, casual alternatives
In informal situations you can use shorter phrases that native speakers often prefer.
Short and friendly
Nos queda tiempo is concise and widely used. It literally means time remains for us, and is perfect for quick exchanges.
Example:
Nos queda tiempo, no te apures.
Emphasizing plenty
To stress that there is plenty of time, use Nos queda mucho tiempo. This is direct and idiomatic.
Example:
Nos queda mucho tiempo, podemos tomar un café.
Phrases with colloquial flavor
Spanish speakers often use idiomatic expressions to sound more natural. Below are a few colloquial ways to say we still have plenty of time.
Time to spare
Hay tiempo de sobra is impersonal and common. It works for groups and general statements about scheduling.
Example:
Hay tiempo de sobra para ver el museo y comer tranquilo.
Relaxed and playful
Estamos sobrados de tiempo is more playful and uses the adjective sobrados to indicate abundance. Use it with friends or co-workers in relaxed settings.
Example:
Estamos sobrados de tiempo, vamos sin prisa.
Formal and polite options
In formal contexts you might want to sound more polite or careful with phrasing.
More formal phrasing
Aún disponemos de tiempo suficiente sounds formal and is suitable for business meetings, presentations, or formal emails.
Example:
Aún disponemos de tiempo suficiente para abordar los puntos restantes de la agenda.
Polite reassurance
Queda tiempo suficiente is neutral but polite. It is useful when reassuring someone professionally.
Example:
Queda tiempo suficiente para preparar la presentación con calma.
Negative constructions and subtleties
Sometimes you need to express the opposite or add nuance about limited time. Understanding negative forms helps avoid misunderstandings.
We do not have much time
To say the opposite use No tenemos mucho tiempo. This warns that time is short.
Example:
No tenemos mucho tiempo, debemos decidir ya.
Still some time but not plenty
If there is some time but not a lot, say Todavía tenemos algo de tiempo. This signals limited but available time.
Example:
Todavía tenemos algo de tiempo, pero conviene apresurarse.
Regional differences and word choice
Spanish varies by country. The verbs and adverbs in these phrases may shift in popularity depending on region.
Aún versus Todavía
Both Aún and Todavía mean still. In Spain you will hear both frequently; in Latin America todavía may be more common in casual speech, while aún remains perfectly correct and slightly more formal.
Quedar versus Haber
Quedar (nos queda tiempo) emphasizes remaining time, while Haber (hay tiempo) is impersonal. Use quedar for personal situations and haber for general statements.
Example:
Nos queda tiempo (for us).
Hay tiempo (there is time in general).
Common contexts and sample dialogues
Seeing these phrases in short dialogues helps you learn natural responses and intonation.
Leaving for an event
Mateo: Vamos, que se hace tarde.
Clara: No te preocupes, aún tenemos mucho tiempo.
Before an exam
Profesor: ¿Terminaremos a tiempo?
Estudiante: Hay tiempo de sobra, podemos repasar una última vez.
Travel and departures
Amigo: ¿Vamos a perder el tren?
Tú: Nos queda tiempo, sale en media hora.
Pronunciation tips
Focus on a few sounds to sound more natural when using these phrases.
Accent and stress
Aún is pronounced AH-oon with stress on the first syllable. Todavía is toh-dah-BEE-ah with the stress on BEE. Practice saying them slowly, then speed up to conversational pace.
Clear r and d
In phrases like tenemos and tiempo, pronounce the d in tenemos softly. In Spain, final d can be softer; in Latin America it may be clearer. Make sure the r in sobra or sobrados is tapped lightly.
Useful variations and additions
You can combine time phrases with verbs and expressions to adapt to many situations.
Adding urgency or calm
Add words like rápido, con calma, or sin prisa to change the tone.
Example:
Todavía tenemos tiempo, pero debemos apurarnos.
Nos queda mucho tiempo, podemos ir con calma.
Time ranges
To be specific about how much time, append a range or estimate.
Example:
Aún tenemos mucho tiempo, al menos una hora.
Nos queda tiempo, unos veinte minutos.
Common mistakes to avoid
Avoid literal word-for-word translations from English that sound odd in Spanish. Also be cautious about register and formality.
Literal but awkward
Do not translate We still have plenty of time as Tenemos todavía bastante tiempo; while understandable, it sounds clunky. Prefer Todavía tenemos tiempo de sobra or Aún tenemos mucho tiempo.
Overusing formal verbs
In casual conversation, using overly formal verbs like disponemos can sound stiff. Save these for formal settings and emails.
Practice phrases to memorize
Memorize a few key phrases so you can use them naturally when needed.
Todavía tenemos tiempo de sobra.
Nos queda mucho tiempo.
Aún tenemos mucho tiempo.
Hay tiempo de sobra.
Todavía tenemos algo de tiempo.
Usage tip: Start with one or two phrases that feel natural to you and add variations as you become comfortable.
Conclusion
Spanish offers many natural ways to say We still have plenty of time depending on context and level of formality. Use Aún tenemos mucho tiempo or Todavía tenemos tiempo de sobra in most situations. For informal speech, Nos queda tiempo and Nos queda mucho tiempo are excellent. Pay attention to region, register, and small words like aún versus todavía to sound more native.
