Hoe laat is het?
To ask 'what time is it?' in Dutch, use Hoe laat is het?
The phrase is used to ask for the current time of day.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, Hoe laat is het? translates to 'How late is it?'
Which one should you use?
You can use the shortened form Hoe laat? in casual conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word het (it) serves as a dummy subject in this question, similar to how 'it' functions in the English phrase 'it is raining'. To respond to the time, you can use the structure Het is [tijd] uur.
Did you know?
- In Dutch, the word laat can mean 'late', but it is the standard way to ask for the time regardless of whether the hour is early or late in the day.
- If you hear someone use the contraction 't instead of het when answering the time, they are using a form that dates back to Middle Dutch.
- Dutch distinguishes between Hoe laat is het? for the time of day and Hoeveel tijd hebben we?, which asks 'how much time do we have' in terms of duration.
Examples in context
- Het is half vier.It is half past three.
- Hoe laat is het nu?What time is it now?
Example conversation
Noah and Emma are walking in a park.
- NoahEmma, hoe laat is het?Emma, what time is it?
- EmmaHet is nu precies drie uur.It is exactly three o'clock now.
- NoahOh, dat is al laat.Oh, that is already late.
- EmmaJa, we moeten echt gaan.Yes, we really must go.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries het, hoe, laat, CC BY-SA 4.0.
