Basic Vocabulary for Time
Before we delve into telling the time, it’s important to familiarize yourself with some key vocabulary related to time in French.
- l'heure - the hour
- minute - minute
- seconde - second
- le matin - morning
- l'après-midi - afternoon
- le soir - evening
- la nuit - night
Understanding the Clock
In French, telling the time involves not only knowing the numbers but also how to combine them correctly with the word “heure.” The numbers from 1 to 12 are critical, as they represent the hours on a clock.
Numbers 1-12 in French
Here’s a quick reference for the numbers:
- un
- deux
- trois
- quatre
- cinq
- six
- sept
- huit
- neuf
- dix
- onze
- douze
Telling the Time
To express the time in French, we primarily use the format “Il est [hour] heure[s] [minutes].” Let’s break this down.
Basic Structure
1. Hour: Use the correct number for the hour (1-12).
2. Heure: This means "hour." For example, “deux heures” means “two o'clock.”
3. Minutes: If the time includes minutes, say the number of minutes after the hour.
Examples of Telling Time
- 2:00 - Il est deux heures.
- 3:15 - Il est trois heures quinze.
- 5:30 - Il est cinq heures trente.
- 7:45 - Il est huit heures moins quinze.
Using “et” for Minutes
When the minutes are between 1 and 29, the word “et” (meaning "and") is used to connect the hour and minutes.
Examples
- 1:05 - Il est une heure et cinq.
- 4:20 - Il est quatre heures et vingt.
Using “moins” for Minutes
When the minutes are 30 or greater, we often use “moins” (meaning "less") to indicate the next hour.
Examples
- 1:45 - Il est deux heures moins quinze.
- 3:50 - Il est quatre heures moins dix.
Expressing Specific Times of Day
Different times of day can be expressed using specific phrases. Here are some common expressions:
- Le matin - in the morning (e.g., Il est six heures du matin means "It is six o'clock in the morning.")
- L'après-midi - in the afternoon (e.g., Il est trois heures de l'après-midi means "It is three o'clock in the afternoon.")
- Le soir - in the evening (e.g., Il est sept heures du soir means "It is seven o'clock in the evening.")
- La nuit - at night (e.g., Il est onze heures de la nuit means "It is eleven o'clock at night.")
Using the 24-hour Clock
In many French-speaking countries, especially in formal contexts like train schedules or military time, the 24-hour format is often used.
Examples of the 24-hour Clock
- 14:00 - Il est quatorze heures.
- 18:30 - Il est dix-huit heures trente.
Asking the Time
When you want to ask someone for the time, you can use the phrase:
- Quelle heure est-il? - What time is it?
Responding to the Question
When someone asks you this question, you can respond using the structures we discussed. For example:
- Quelle heure est-il?
Il est dix heures.
Additional Expressions Related to Time
Understanding how to tell the time in French also involves knowing some expressions related to time management and schedules.
- À quelle heure... - At what time... (e.g., À quelle heure commence le film? - At what time does the movie start?)
- Dans une heure - In one hour
- Dans cinq minutes - In five minutes
- Il est temps de... - It’s time to... (e.g., Il est temps de partir - It’s time to leave)
Practice Makes Perfect
To become proficient in telling the time in French, practice is key. Here are some ways to enhance your skills:
1. Practice with a Partner: Find a language partner to practice asking and telling the time.
2. Use Flashcards: Create flashcards with different times on one side and the French expression on the other.
3. Listen to French Media: Watch French movies or listen to French radio to hear how native speakers express time.
4. Engage with Interactive Apps: Utilize language-learning apps that focus on time-related vocabulary and phrases.
Conclusion
Learning how to tell the time in French is a vital part of mastering the language. With this guide, you now have the basic vocabulary, structures, and expressions needed to confidently tell the time in various contexts. Remember, practice is essential, so immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. Whether you’re planning a trip to France, engaging with French-speaking friends, or studying the language, being able to tell the time will greatly enhance your communication skills. Bonne chance!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say 'What time is it?' in French?
You say 'Quelle heure est-il ?' in French.
What is the French term for 'o'clock' when telling time?
In French, 'o'clock' is expressed as 'heure'. For example, 'Il est trois heures' means 'It is three o'clock'.
How do you express a specific time, like 3:30, in French?
You would say 'Il est trois heures et demie' for 3:30 in French.
What is the difference between 'du matin' and 'du soir' when telling time?
'Du matin' means 'in the morning' and is used for times before noon, while 'du soir' means 'in the evening' and is used for times after 6 PM.
How do you say 'quarter past' and 'quarter to' in French?
'Quarter past' is 'et quart' (e.g., 'Il est deux heures et quart' for 2:15), and 'quarter to' is 'moins le quart' (e.g., 'Il est trois heures moins le quart' for 2:45).
