How do you ask for the time in Spanish?

To ask for the time in Spanish, the most appropriate phrase is "¿Qué hora es?" This translates directly to "What time is it?" in English. It is the standard way to inquire about the current time.

The structure of this phrase uses the singular form "hora," which is correct because time is typically expressed in singular in Spanish, regardless of whether it is one o'clock or multiple hours. The verb "es" indicates that you are referring to the present time.

The other phrases do not serve the same purpose. For example, "¿Qué hora son?" mistakenly uses the plural form, which is grammatically incorrect when referring to the singular noun "hora." "¿A qué hora es?" is used to ask about the time of a specific event rather than the current time. Lastly, "¿Qué tiempo es?" translates to "What is the weather like?" and does not pertain to asking about the time at all. Thus, "¿Qué hora es?" is clearly the most appropriate and correct choice for asking for the time in Spanish.