huit heures dix
In French, "ten past eight" is said as huit heures dix.
This phrase describes the time ten minutes after eight o'clock.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the number eight (huit), the word for hours (heures) and the number ten (dix), literally translating to "eight hours ten".
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, the word heures (hours) must be included between the hour and the minutes. Unlike English, which uses 'past' or 'after' to indicate minutes, French typically uses the direct sequence of the hour followed by the minutes.
Did you know?
- While huit heures dix is the standard way to tell time, French speakers may use the word pile after the hour to indicate it is exactly that time, such as huit heures pile.
- The 'h' in huit was added during the Middle French period to prevent people from confusing the word with vit, as the letters 'u' and 'v' were once written the same way.
- If you were to use a 24-hour clock, which is the standard for most formal French contexts, 'ten past eight' in the evening would change from huit heures dix to vingt heures dix.
Examples in context
- Il est huit heures dix.It is eight ten.
- Le train part à huit heures dix.The train leaves at eight ten.
- Rendez-vous à huit heures dix devant le café.Meet at eight ten in front of the café.
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are checking the time before a movie starts.
- ManonQuelle heure est-il, Hugo ?What time is it, Hugo?
- HugoIl est exactement huit heures dix.It is exactly eight ten.
- ManonOuf, nous ne sommes pas en retard !Phew, we are not late!
- HugoOui, le film commence bientôt.Yes, the movie is starting soon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dix, huit, CC BY-SA 4.0.
