trois heures vingt
To say 'twenty past three' in French, you use trois heures vingt.
This phrase describes the time when twenty minutes have passed after three o'clock.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase trois heures vingt is composed of the number three, the word for hours and the number twenty.
Which one should you use?
While English speakers often say 'twenty past three', French speakers do not use a word for 'past' in this context, instead using the direct sequence of hour and minutes.
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike English, which uses 'past' or 'after' to describe minutes, French simply states the hour followed by the number of minutes.
Did you know?
- In France, you will often see the time written using a 24-hour clock. 'Three twenty' in the afternoon is frequently written as 15h20 rather than trois heures vingt.
- The letter 'g' in vingt was actually removed during the Old French period and only reintroduced later in Middle French to preserve the pronunciation.
Examples in context
- Il est trois heures vingt.It's twenty past three.This sentence is useful for stating the current time using trois heures vingt.Tatoeba #11455306 by see, translation #10977124 by sundown
- On se retrouve à la gare à trois heures vingt, d'accord ?Let's meet at the station at twenty past three, okay?
- Le rendez-vous est à trois heures vingt.The appointment is at three twenty.
- Il est déjà trois heures vingt !It is already three twenty!
Example conversation
Nathan and Chloé are checking the time before a class starts.
- NathanQuelle heure est-il, Chloé ?What time is it, Chloé?
- ChloéIl est trois heures vingt.It is three twenty.
- NathanOh, nous sommes en retard !Oh, we are late!
- ChloéDépêche-toi, Nathan !Hurry up, Nathan!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries trois, vingt, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
