Greetings! If you’re looking to learn how to express hours in French, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll cover both the formal and informal ways to say hours, along with some tips and examples to help you along the way. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions of Hours
In formal situations, such as business settings or official events, it is important to use more precise and structured expressions to convey the time. Here are some examples:
1. Using the 24-Hour Clock
One common way to express time formally is by using the 24-hour clock system. This system is widely used in France and many other Francophone countries. In this system, the hours are pronounced as follows:
- 1:00 AM – une heure du matin
- 9:30 AM – neuf heures trente du matin
- 12:00 PM – midi
- 2:15 PM – quatorze heures quinze
- 9:00 PM – vingt et une heures
- 11:45 PM – vingt-trois heures quarante-cinq
2. Using “Il est”
Another formal way to express time in French is by using the phrase “Il est” (It is) followed by the specific hour. Here are a few examples:
- 1:00 AM – Il est une heure du matin
- 9:30 AM – Il est neuf heures trente du matin
- 12:00 PM – Il est midi
- 2:15 PM – Il est quatorze heures quinze
- 9:00 PM – Il est vingt et une heures
- 11:45 PM – Il est vingt-trois heures quarante-cinq
Informal Expressions of Hours
In casual or informal situations, French speakers often use less precise expressions to convey time. Here are some common informal ways to talk about hours:
1. Using “Heure(s)”
An easy and commonly used way to express time informally is simply by using the word “heure(s)” (hour/hours). Here are a few examples:
- 1:00 AM – une heure du mat’
- 9:30 AM – neuf heures et demie
- 12:00 PM – midi
- 2:15 PM – deux heures quinze
- 9:00 PM – neuf heures du soir
- 11:45 PM – minuit moins le quart
2. Using “Du Matin/Après-midi/Soir”
Another way to express time informally is by using expressions like “du matin” (in the morning), “de l’après-midi” (in the afternoon), or “du soir” (in the evening). Here are some examples:
- 1:00 AM – une heure du matin
- 9:30 AM – neuf heures et demie du matin
- 12:00 PM – midi
- 2:15 PM – deux heures quinze de l’après-midi
- 9:00 PM – neuf heures du soir
- 11:45 PM – minuit moins le quart du soir
Additional Tips and Examples
Here are a few more tips and examples to help you master the art of expressing hours in French:
1. Using “Et Quart” and “Et Demie”
To express specific times such as “quarter past” or “half past,” you can use the phrases “et quart” (and a quarter) and “et demie” (and half) respectively. For example:
Il est cinq heures et quart. (It’s a quarter past five.)
Il est six heures et demie. (It’s half past six.)
2. Saying “O’Clock”
Unlike in English, French does not use the term “o’clock” for whole hours. Instead, you can simply state the hour without any additional words. For example:
Il est deux heures. (It’s two o’clock.)
3. Regional Variations
While the expressions mentioned above are widely used throughout France, there might be slight regional variations in certain areas. For example, in the southern regions of France, it is common to hear “uèi” instead of “midi” for 12:00 PM. However, these variations are relatively minor and should not pose any significant challenges for learners.
That’s it for our comprehensive guide on how to say hours in French! Remember to practice these expressions regularly to become more comfortable with telling time in French. Bonne chance!
