Ciao! Are you looking to learn how to tell time in Italian? Whether you’re planning a trip to Italy, have Italian friends or simply want to expand your language skills, mastering the art of telling time in Italian is essential. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways to express time, along with some tips, examples, and even regional variations. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions:
When it comes to speaking formally, Italians prefer to use the 24-hour clock system. This is similar to many other European countries. Take a look at the examples below:
Sono le sette: It’s 7 o’clock. Sono le undici: It’s 11 o’clock. Sono le quindici: It’s 3 o’clock (15:00). Sono le ventidue: It’s 10 o’clock (22:00).
Note that Italians use “sono le” (it is) before the number to indicate a specific time. Also, keep in mind that when expressing times between 1:00 and 1:59, they use “è l’una” instead of “sono le una” (it is 1 o’clock).
Informal Expressions:
Informally, Italians often use the 12-hour clock system, similar to the English way of telling time. Here are some common phrases:
È l’una: It’s 1 o’clock. Sono le otto: It’s 8 o’clock. Sono le due: It’s 2 o’clock. Sono le cinque: It’s 5 o’clock.
When expressing the exact hours between 2:00 and 12:59, they use “sono le” just like in the formal expressions.
Regional Variations:
While most of Italy follows the standard expressions we’ve covered, there are a few regional variations worth noting.
Milanese Dialect:
In Milan, and other parts of Lombardy, people often say the time in a slightly different way. Instead of using “sono le” or “è l’una,” they use “son” to mean “sono le” and “l’è” to mean “è l’una.” For example:
Son le sette: It’s 7 o’clock. L’è l’una: It’s 1 o’clock.
Venetian Dialect:
In Venice and nearby regions, the Venetian dialect affects the time expressions as well. In this dialect, they use “i sé” to mean “sono le,” and “ghe xé” or “ghe xe l’una” instead of “è l’una.” Here are a few examples:
I sé sete: It’s 7 o’clock. Ghe xé l’una: It’s 1 o’clock.
Useful Tips for Telling Time in Italian:
- Using “E” or “È”: In some informal conversations, you might hear Italians using “e” instead of “è” when telling the time. While technically incorrect, it’s commonly used in casual situations.
- Adding “e un quarto” and “e mezza”: Italians often say “e un quarto” (a quarter past) and “e mezza” (half past) when expressing time. For example, “Sono le tre e un quarto” means “It’s a quarter past three.”
- Subtracting Minutes: Italians often subtract minutes from the following hour to indicate the time. For instance, “Sono le otto meno venti” means “It’s twenty minutes to eight.”
- AM and PM: Unlike English, Italians do not use AM and PM to distinguish between morning and afternoon/evening. Instead, they rely on context. In case you do need to specify, you can mention “del mattino” (in the morning) or “di notte” (at night).
With this comprehensive guide, you now have all the tools you need to confidently say the time in Italian. Remember to practice regularly and try listening to native speakers to improve your pronunciation. Buona fortuna!
