deux heures et demie
In French, deux heures et demie is the way to say two thirty.
This phrase is used to state that the time is half past two.
What does it mean word for word?
The term demie literally means 'half'.
Which one should you use?
While deux heures et demie is used to express the time of day, deux heures trente is a more formal way to state the time using the number thirty.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, people might use deux heures et trente instead of deux heures trente.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word demie is feminine and singular because it agrees with the feminine noun heure.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the masculine form demi. Because it refers to heures, you must use the feminine demie.
Did you know?
- While demie means 'half' when telling time, it is also used in the phrase à demi-mot to describe someone speaking in hints or insinuations.
- French speakers often use the 24-hour clock for official schedules, meaning deux heures et demie in the afternoon would be written as 14:30.
- In French, the word deux shares a common ancestor with the English word 'two', both tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *dwóh₁.
Examples in context
- Rendez-vous devant l'entrée principale à deux heures et demie.Let's meet in front of the main entrance at two-thirty.This sentence is useful for setting a meeting time using deux heures et demie.Tatoeba #11621631 by Aiji, translation #3626940 by karloelkebekio
- Le rendez-vous est fixé à deux heures et demie.The appointment is scheduled for two thirty.
- On se retrouve à deux heures trente au café.Let's meet at two thirty at the café.
- Le film commence à deux heures et demie.The movie starts at two thirty.
- Je viendrai te voir à deux heures et demie.I will come to see you at two thirty.
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are deciding when to meet for coffee.
- NathanOn se voit à deux heures et demie ?Shall we see each other at two thirty?
- EmmaC'est parfait pour moi, Nathan.That is perfect for me, Nathan.
- NathanTu veux prendre un café ?Do you want to grab a coffee?
- EmmaOui, avec plaisir !Yes, with pleasure!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries deux, et, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
