Uhr
/uːr/
The German phrase Uhr means o'clock.
Uhr is used to indicate a specific point in time, such as drei Uhr for three o'clock or to refer to the device itself, like a clock or a watch.
Which one should you use?
English speakers often confuse Uhr with Stunde. While Uhr refers to a device or a specific point in time, Stunde refers to a duration of 60 minutes.
How does it change in a sentence?
Uhr is a feminine noun used to refer to a clock or a watch.
How do you pronounce it?
/uːr/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use Uhr to express a duration of time. For example, to say for two hours, you must use Stunden instead of Uhr.
Did you know?
- The German word Uhr is actually a distant linguistic relative of the word Jahr, meaning 'year'.
- German speakers use the same word Uhr for a massive tower clock in a city square and a tiny wristwatch on a wrist.
- In some German dialects, the word is pronounced as Auer instead of Uhr, preserving an older vowel sound.
Examples in context
- Entschuldigung, wie viel Uhr ist es?Excuse me, what time is it?
- Bitte denken Sie daran, Ihre Uhr umzustellen.Please remember to adjust your clock.
- Kannst du mir sagen, wo die Uhr ist?Can you tell me where the clock is?
- Meine Uhr geht eine Minute vor.My clock is one minute fast.
- Wir treffen uns um 8 Uhr am Bahnhof.We're meeting at 8 o'clock at the train station.
- Um wie viel Uhr kommst du?At what time are you coming?
- Der Film beginnt um acht Uhr.The movie begins at eight o'clock.
Example conversation
Lukas and Julia are planning their meeting time.
- LukasWann hast du Zeit, Julia?When do you have time, Julia?
- JuliaIch kann um zwei Uhr kommen.I can come at two o'clock.
- LukasDas passt mir sehr gut.That works very well for me.
- JuliaDann bis später, Lukas!See you later then, Lukas!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Uhr, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Uhr, CC BY-SA 4.0.
