quelle heure est-il ?
The English phrase "what is the time?" is translated into French as quelle heure est-il ?
This phrase is a question used to ask someone for the current time of day. When receiving an answer, be aware that the 24-hour clock format is commonly used. For example, 2:00 PM is expressed as 14 heures.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase quelle heure est-il ? literally translates to "what hour is it?"
Which one should you use?
While Quelle heure est-il ? is the standard way to ask for the current time, you should use À quelle heure…? if you want to ask "At what time…?" regarding a specific event.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase il est quelle heure ? is a more informal way to ask the same question compared to the standard quelle heure est-il ?
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the impersonal pronoun il (it), which is the standard way to express time in French.
Did you know?
- French has a specific term l'heure bleue or 'the blue hour' to describe the period of twilight just before sunrise or after sunset.
- To say it is 'about' a certain time, French speakers use vers, which is the same word used for 'towards' a physical destination.
- The word heure comes from the Ancient Greek hṓra, which originally referred to a 'season' or 'year' rather than a specific sixty-minute block.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous me dire l'heure, s'il vous plaît?Excuse me, could you tell me the time, please?
- Pourriez-vous me donner l'heure, s'il vous plaît?Could you give me the time, please?
- Pourriez-vous me renseigner sur l'heure, s'il vous plaît?Could you provide me with the time, please?
- Tu as l'heure?Do you have the time?
- Il est quelle heure?What time is it?
- Excusez-moi, quelle heure est-il ?Excuse me, what is the time?
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are waiting for a train at the station.
- GabrielLéa, quelle heure est-il ?Léa, what is the time?
- LéaIl est exactement trois heures.It is exactly three o'clock.
- GabrielOh, je suis en retard !Oh, I am late!
- LéaNe t'inquiète pas, Gabriel.Don't worry, Gabriel.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries heure, CC BY-SA 4.0.
