Bonjour! If you are learning French or planning to visit a French-speaking country, it’s essential to know how to express and understand time. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about telling time in French, including both formal and informal ways. So, let’s dive in and explore the fascinating world of French time expressions!
Table of Contents
Formal Time Expressions
When it comes to communicating time formally in French, you generally follow a specific structure. Here’s a breakdown of the elements:
1. Hour (L’heure)
The hour is the main component when expressing time. In French, the hour should be stated first, followed by the minutes. Make sure to use the word “heure” (hour) after the hour itself:
Il est une heure.
(It is one o’clock.)
Il est deux heures.
(It is two o’clock.)
Il est trois heures.
(It is three o’clock.)
Il est quatre heures.
(It is four o’clock.)
Il est cinq heures.
(It is five o’clock.)
2. Minutes (Les minutes)
To express minutes, you have two different options. The first option is to state the exact number of minutes in digits, followed by the word “minute(s)”:”
- Il est cinq heures dix. (It is five ten.)
- Il est sept heures vingt. (It is seven twenty.)
- Il est trois heures cinquante. (It is three fifty.)
The second option is to use the words “et quart” (and a quarter), “et demie” (and half past), or “moins le quart” (minus a quarter) to express specific points in time:
- Il est six heures et quart. (It is six fifteen.)
- Il est dix heures et demie. (It is ten thirty.)
- Il est neuf heures moins le quart. (It is eight forty-five.)
Informal Time Expressions
When speaking in a more casual setting among friends or family, the French tend to use a slightly different way to express time. Let’s take a look:
1. General Time Indications
Instead of using “il est” (it is), a more informal expression to indicate time is “il est (hour) heures” (it is (hour) o’clock), or simply “il est (hour)” (it is (hour)). Here are some examples:
Il est huit heures.
(It is eight o’clock.)
Il est dix heures et quart.
(It is ten fifteen.)
Il est une heure moins le quart.
(It is quarter to one.)
Il est six heures trente.
(It is six thirty.)
Il est midi.
(It is noon.)
Il est minuit.
(It is midnight.)
2. Approximate Time
If you want to give a rough estimation of time, you can use phrases such as “vers” (around) or “à peu près” (approximately). Here are some examples:
On se voit vers huit heures.
(Let’s meet around eight o’clock.)
Je serai là à peu près à sept heures.
(I will be there around seven o’clock.)
On part vers neuf heures.
(We are leaving around nine o’clock.)
Tips and Regional Variations
While the above expressions are generally used throughout the French-speaking world, there are some regional variations when it comes to telling time. In some areas, particularly in Canada and parts of Belgium and Switzerland, you may hear the word “heures” after the hour, even in formal settings:
Il est trois heures heures vingt.
(It is three twenty.)
Il est dix heures heures moins le quart.
(It is nine forty-five.)
Il est six heures heures trente.
(It is six thirty.)
Additionally, it’s important to note that in formal written French, the 24-hour clock format (military time) is often used. However, in spoken language, especially informally, the 12-hour clock format is more common.
In conclusion
Mastering the art of telling time in French is an important step in your language journey. Remember to practice and use the expressions in both formal and informal settings, as it will greatly improve your ability to communicate effectively with native French speakers. Bonne chance (good luck)!
