Telling Time In French

Basic Units of Time

In French, time is typically expressed using a 24-hour clock system. Here are the basic units of time you need to know:

The Hours in French

In French, the hours are expressed using numbers from 1 to 12, followed by "heure" (hour).

Minutes and Quarters in French

Minutes in French are often expressed in multiples of 5, and the word "minute" (minute) is used.

Saying the Exact Time in French

To express the exact time, combine the hour with the minutes using "et" (and).

For example:

• Il est trois heures et quart. (It's three fifteen.)
• Il est neuf heures et demie. (It's nine thirty.)

Examples

Here are some examples of telling time in French:

• Il est dix heures. (It's ten o'clock.)
• Il est une heure et quart. (It's one fifteen.)
• Il est trois heures moins le quart. (It's quarter to three.)

Learning to tell time in French is essential for various daily activities like meeting friends, attending appointments, and punctuality. This tutorial will guide you through the basics, so you'll never be late again!

French Time

In French, "time" can be translated into three different words, each with its own meaning:

For this lesson, we'll focus on "l’heure," which is used for telling time and is equivalent to "o’clock" in English.

French Numbers

To tell time in French, you need to know the numbers from 1 to 24. Unlike English, French time follows the 24-hour clock system, where the counting continues beyond 12 for afternoon and evening hours. Here's a quick overview:

• Midnight: minuit, 24h00, or 0h00
• After midnight: 0h01, 0h02, etc.
• Morning: du matin (a.m.)
• Afternoon: de l’après-midi (from noon to around 6 p.m.)
• Evening: du soir (until midnight)

Telling Time in French

Here are some common phrases and expressions for telling time in French: