Bonjour! Are you interested in learning how to say the time in French? Well, in this guide, we will focus on the specific keyword “ten past eight” and explore both formal and informal ways to express it in French. We’ll also provide helpful tips, examples, and even touch on a few regional variations if necessary. So, let’s dive right in and uncover all you need to know!
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions:
When it comes to formal contexts, such as business meetings or official events, it’s essential to be precise and use the appropriate phrase to convey the time. Here’s how you can say “ten past eight” formally in French:
Dix heures huit
In this formal expression, we use the word “heures” to denote the hours and “dix” for ten. The word “huit” represents eight.
Let’s break down this expression:
- Dix: This means “ten” in French and is pronounced as “dees.”
- Heures: This translates to “hours” and is pronounced as “er.”
- Huit: This denotes “eight” and is pronounced as “wheat.”
Putting it all together, you would pronounce “Dix heures huit” as “Dees er wheat.”
Informal Expressions:
When you’re in a casual setting with friends or family, there’s often room for a more relaxed approach when telling the time. Here are a couple of informal expressions for “ten past eight” in French:
Huit heures dix
Huit heures dix minutes
These informal expressions also use the words “heures” for hours and “huit” for eight. However, “dix” in these informal phrases means “ten” and can be followed by “minutes” to add further precision.
Let’s explore these informal expressions further:
- Huit heures dix: This means “eight ten” and is pronounced as “weet er dees.”
- Huit heures dix minutes: This means “eight ten minutes” and is pronounced as “weet er dees mee-noots.”
Remember, the pronunciation of “heures” remains the same in informal expressions as in the formal ones.
Tips and Regional Variations:
Here are some tips and additional regional variations to keep in mind when expressing “ten past eight” in French:
- Watch out for “et demi”: In French, it’s common to say “et demi” (and a half) instead of specifying minutes when the time is between 30 minutes past the hour and 30 minutes to the next hour. For example, if it were 8:30, you would say “huit heures et demi” (eight thirty), and not “huit heures trente” (eight thirty minutes).
- Regional variations: While the phrases we discussed earlier are widely used throughout French-speaking regions, some variations exist. For instance, in Québec, Canada, people often say “huit heures dix” or “dix heures huit” but may also use “huit heures dix minutes” or “dix heures huit minutes” to provide additional clarity.
Please note that these regional variations, though interesting, are not necessary to use in most situations when telling the time in French.
Examples:
Let’s explore a few examples to solidify your understanding of how to say “ten past eight” in French:
- Example 1: Formal Expression
Person A: Quelle heure est-il ? (What time is it?)
Person B: Il est dix heures huit. (It is ten past eight.)
Example 2: Informal Expression
Person A: Quelle heure est-il ?
Person B: Il est huit heures dix minutes.
Remember, whether you choose to use the formal or informal expressions, your choice depends on the context and the level of formality required.
To sum it up, you can say “ten past eight” in French as “Dix heures huit” in formal contexts, and “Huit heures dix” or “Huit heures dix minutes” in informal settings. Don’t be afraid to practice and use these expressions to confidently tell the time in French!
Keep learning and enjoy your progress in mastering the beautiful French language! Bonne chance!
