halb zwölf
The English phrase "half past eleven" is translated into German as halb zwölf.
The phrase is used to indicate the time that is thirty minutes after eleven o'clock.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase halb zwölf literally translates to "half twelve", signifying that the time is halfway toward the next hour.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the word halb functions as an adjective or adverb and does not change its form based on the number that follows it.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say halb elf when they mean half past eleven. In German, halb refers to the hour that is currently being approached. Therefore, halb zwölf is half past eleven, while halb elf means half past ten.
Did you know?
- In some German regions, people describe 11:45 as dreiviertel zwölf, which literally means 'three quarters twelve'. This continues the logic of halb zwölf by viewing the hour as a pie being filled up.
- In official contexts like train schedules or news broadcasts, Germans avoid halb zwölf and instead use elf Uhr dreißig, meaning 'eleven hours thirty'.
- The term zwölf used in the phrase relates to the same Proto-Germanic root as the English 'twelve'. It is a cognate that has remained remarkably stable in meaning and sound over millennia.
Examples in context
- Es ist halb zwölf.It's half past eleven.This sentence shows how to use halb zwölf to state the time.Tatoeba #13385224 by glossboss, translation #13385223 by glossboss
- Es ist fast halb zwölf.It's almost half past eleven.This sentence demonstrates using halb zwölf to say it is almost that time.Tatoeba #356573 by MUIRIEL, translation #73346 by CK
- Entschuldigen Sie, es ist halb zwölf. Sollen wir mit der Besprechung beginnen?Excuse me, it is half twelve. Shall we start the meeting?
- Wir treffen uns um halb zwölf in der Eisdiele.Let's meet at half twelve at the ice cream parlor.
- Wir treffen uns um halb zwölf.We are meeting at half past eleven.
Example conversation
Lukas and Julia are checking the time before a train departs.
- LukasWie spät ist es gerade?What time is it right now?
- JuliaEs ist kurz vor halb zwölf.It is shortly before half past eleven.
- LukasDann müssen wir schnell zum Gleis.Then we must hurry to the platform.
- JuliaJa, Lukas, lauf bitte!Yes, Lukas, please run!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries halb, zwölf, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
