et demie
The English phrase "half past the hour" is translated into French as et demie.
et demie is used to indicate the half-hour mark by adding it to the hour.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase et demie literally means "and half".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase et demie is used as an additive to the hour to indicate the half-hour mark.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often forget that demie is the feminine form of demi and must agree with the feminine noun heure (hour) which is implied in time-telling.
Did you know?
- When using the 12-hour clock, French speakers often say 'midi et demi' or 'minuit et demi' for noon or midnight. Note that in these specific cases, the 'e' is dropped because 'midi' and 'minuit' are masculine.
- In formal or digital contexts, such as reading a train schedule, French speakers often abandon et demie entirely. They instead use the 24-hour format, saying 'quatorze heures trente' for 'two thirty in the afternoon'.
- While et demie is standard, some French speakers use the term et quart for a quarter past, but they never use a similar additive for a quarter to, preferring to subtract from the next hour.
Examples in context
- Il est quatre heures et demie.It is four thirty.
- Le train partira à neuf heures et trente.The train will leave at nine thirty.
- deux heures et demieTwo thirty / half past two
- Il est deux heures et demie.It is half past two.
- Le rendez-vous est à six heures et demie.The appointment is at half past six.
- Nous arrivons à dix heures et demie.We are arriving at half past ten.
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are checking the time before a movie.
- NathanQuelle heure est-il ?What time is it?
- EmmaIl est huit heures et demie.It is half past eight.
- NathanC'est parfait pour le début du film.That's perfect for the start of the movie.
- EmmaOui, dépêchons-nous !Yes, let's hurry!
