How to Tell Time in French

Photo by Alex Lion on Unsplash

 

Are you planning a trip to France or just starting to learn French? Then asking and telling time is an essential skill! French time expressions might seem a bit different from what you're used to, but don't worry! With just a little knowledge of numbers, anyone can easily tell time in French. Let's dive into everything you need to know about French time expressions.

 

1. Basic Time Questions and Responses

 

• What time is it?: Quelle heure est-il? (kel uhr eh teel?)
• It is ~ o'clock: Il est ~ heure(s). (eel eh ~ uhr)

 

When telling time, remember that except for 1 o'clock, you need to add an "s" to "heure" to indicate the plural.

 

Examples:

• What time is it now?: Quelle heure est-il maintenant? (kel uhr eh teel mant-nong?)
• It is one o'clock: Il est une heure. (eel eh oon uhr)
• It is three o'clock: Il est trois heures. (eel eh trwah uhr)

 

2. Expressing 30 Minutes, 15 Minutes, and 10 Minutes

 

• 30 minutes: et demie (ey duh-mee)
• 15 minutes: et quart (ey kar)
• 10 minutes: dix (dees)

 

"Et demie" means "and a half," while "et quart" means "and a quarter." For 10-minute intervals, simply use the number itself.

 

Examples:

• It is two thirty: Il est deux heures et demie. (eel eh duh-zuhr ey duh-mee)
• It is three fifteen: Il est trois heures et quart. (eel eh trwah-zuhr ey kar)
• It is four ten: Il est quatre heures dix. (eel eh kat-ruh-r uhr dees)

 

3. Expressing Non-Exact Times

 

• ~ hour(s) ~ minute(s): Il est ~ heure(s) ~. (eel eh ~ uhr ~)
• ~ minute(s) to ~: Il est ~ heure(s) moins ~. (eel eh ~ uhr mwang ~)

 

For times that aren't on the hour, simply use the numbers.

 

Examples:

• It is five twenty: Il est cinq heures vingt. (eel eh sank uhr vang)
• It is five to six: Il est six heures moins cinq. (eel eh sees uhr mwang sank)

 

4. Distinguishing AM and PM

 

• AM: du matin (dew ma-tan)
• PM: de l'après-midi (duh la-preh mee-dee)
• Evening: du soir (dew swahr)

 

While France uses the 24-hour clock, AM and PM are also used.

 

Examples:

• It is eight AM: Il est huit heures du matin. (eel eh weet uhr dew ma-tan)
• It is two PM: Il est deux heures de l'après-midi. (eel eh duh-zuhr duh la-preh mee-dee)
• It is seven PM: Il est sept heures du soir. (eel eh set uhr dew swahr)

 

5. Additional Tips

 

• Noon: midi (mee-dee)
• Midnight: minuit (mee-nwee)

 

Examples:

• It is noon: Il est midi. (eel eh mee-dee)
• It is midnight: Il est minuit. (eel eh mee-nwee)
• Asking for the time: Vous avez l'heure? (voo-zaveh luhr?)

 

This is another way to ask "What time is it?" It literally means "Do you have the time?"

 

Pro Tip! French time expressions might seem tricky at first, but once you understand the rules, they're easy to master. Practice regularly and use them in real-life situations, and you'll be telling time in French like a pro in no time! 😊