How to say AM and PM in German: A Comprehensive Guide

If you are learning German or planning to visit a German-speaking country, it’s important to know how to express AM and PM correctly. In this guide, we’ll cover the formal and informal ways to say AM and PM in German, as well as provide tips, examples, and some regional variations if necessary. So let’s dive in!

Formal Ways to Say AM and PM in German

1. AM – Vormittag
In formal German, AM is expressed as “Vormittag,” which literally means “before noon.” This term is used to indicate the time from midnight until noon. For example:

It’s 9 AM in Germany. – Es ist 9 Uhr vormittags in Deutschland.

2. PM – Nachmittag
In formal German, PM is expressed as “Nachmittag,” which translates to “afternoon.” This term is used to indicate the time from noon until midnight. For example:

I have a meeting at 3 PM. – Ich habe um 15 Uhr nachmittags eine Besprechung.

Informal Ways to Say AM and PM in German

Informal German often relies on the 12-hour clock system, just like in English. Here are the commonly used phrases to indicate AM and PM in a more casual setting:

1. AM – Morgens
“Morgens” is the informal equivalent to AM. It refers to the time in the morning before noon. For example:

Let’s meet at 9 AM. – Lass uns um 9 Uhr morgens treffen.

2. PM – Nachmittags/Abends
In informal German, “Nachmittags” or “Abends” can be used interchangeably to express PM. These terms refer to the time from noon until midnight. For example:

The concert starts at 8 PM. – Das Konzert beginnt um 20 Uhr nachmittags/abends.

Regional Variations

German is spoken in several regions, and there might be slight variations in how AM and PM are expressed across these areas. However, the formal and informal ways mentioned earlier are widely understood throughout the German-speaking world. That being said, it’s always interesting to explore regional differences. Here are a few examples:

• Austria: Instead of “Nachmittag,” Austrians sometimes use “Nacmittåg” to express PM. For example: “The event starts at 7 PM” can be translated as “Die Veranstaltung beginnt um 19 Uhr nacmittågs.”

Additional Tips and Examples

To further enhance your understanding of how to say AM and PM in German, here are some additional tips and examples:

• Tips:
  1. Remember that formal German uses “Vormittag” for AM and “Nachmittag” for PM.
  2. In a casual context, use “Morgens” for AM and “Nachmittags” or “Abends” for PM.
  3. Pay attention to the 24-hour clock system when reading or writing German, as it is commonly used in formal settings.
• Examples:
  1. The train leaves at 7 AM. – Der Zug fährt um 7 Uhr vormittags ab.
  2. Alice goes running every morning at 6 AM. – Alice geht jeden Morgen um 6 Uhr morgens joggen.
  3. Let’s meet for coffee in the afternoon. – Lass uns nachmittags auf einen Kaffee treffen.
  4. Do you have plans this evening? – Hast du heute Abend etwas vor?

With these tips and examples, you should now feel confident in expressing AM and PM in German, both formally and informally. Remember to practice using these phrases in context to improve your fluency.

We hope this comprehensive guide has helped you understand how to say AM and PM in German. Whether you are communicating in a formal or informal setting, using the appropriate expressions will make your conversations and interactions smoother. Viel Glück (Good luck)!