deux heures et quart
The English phrase "two fifteen" is deux heures et quart in French.
When telling the time using the et quart construction, you must include the word heures (hours).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase deux heures et quart literally translates to two hours and a quarter.
Which one should you use?
While deux heures et quart is the common way to say two-fifteen, deux heures quinze serves as a more literal, digital-style alternative used for precision.
Did you know?
- In many French-speaking regions, people use a 24-hour clock for official schedules, meaning you might hear quatorze heures quinze instead of deux heures et quart.
- The word et was often written simply as e in Old French before the spelling was standardized in the 12th century to match its Latin roots.
- The term quart connects French time-telling to a wide family of Romance languages, such as Italian, which uses e un quarto for similar expressions.
Examples in context
- Il est deux heures et quart.It's two-fifteen.This sentence is useful for stating that it is currently two-fifteen using deux heures et quart.Tatoeba #1594968 by martin9, translation #8349548 by AlanF_US
- Dans cinq minutes, il sera deux heures quinze.In five minutes, it will be two fifteen.
- La réunion commencera à deux heures quinze précises.The meeting will start at exactly two fifteen.
- Je te retrouverai à deux heures et quart devant le café.I'll meet you at a quarter past two in front of the café.
- N'oublie pas que notre rendez-vous est à deux heures et quart cet après-midi.Don't forget our appointment is at two fifteen this afternoon.
- Le rendez-vous est à deux heures et quart.The appointment is at two fifteen.
- Il est déjà deux heures et quart !It is already two fifteen!
Example conversation
Hugo and Emma are checking the time at a cafe.
- HugoQuelle heure est-il, Emma ?What time is it, Emma?
- EmmaIl est deux heures et quart.It is two fifteen.
- HugoOh, je suis en retard !Oh, I am late!
- EmmaNe t'inquiète pas, Hugo.Don't worry, Hugo.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries deux, et, quart, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
