Learning how to tell time in different languages opens up a world of communication possibilities, and French is no exception. Whether you’re traveling to a francophone region or simply want to expand your language skills, knowing how to express the time is essential. In this guide, we’ll cover both formal and informal ways to say what time it is in French, providing tips, examples, and even a regional variation or two along the way.
Table of Contents
Formal Time Expressions in French
When it comes to formal situations, such as business meetings or official events, using the appropriate language is key. Here are some formal ways to express the time in French:
1. Il est + hour + heures
This is the most common way to express the time in French. The phrase “Il est” translates to “It is” in English. Follow it with the hour, spelled out, and add “heures” at the end, which means “o’clock”. For example:
Il est trois heures. (It is three o’clock.)
Il est onze heures. (It is eleven o’clock.)
2. Il est + hour + heures + et + minutes
If you want to be more specific and include the minutes, you can add “et” (and) followed by the minutes. Here’s an example:
Il est quatre heures et quart. (It is four fifteen.)
Il est sept heures et demie. (It is seven thirty.)
3. Il est + hour + heures + moins + minutes
In some cases, you may express time by stating how many minutes remain until the next hour. To do this, use the word “moins,” meaning “minus” or “less,” followed by the minutes left until the next hour. For instance:
Il est six heures moins dix. (It is ten minutes to six.)
Il est neuf heures moins vingt. (It is twenty minutes to nine.)
Informal Time Expressions in French
Informal situations, such as talking to friends or family, often allow for a more relaxed language. Here are some informal ways to express the time in French:
1. Onze heures
In informal speech, you can drop the “il est” and simply state the hour. For example:
Onze heures. (Eleven o’clock.)
Cinq heures et quart. (Five fifteen.)
2. Midi and Minuit
Informally, French speakers often use “midi” to mean noon and “minuit” to mean midnight. It’s a convenient way to express these specific times. Examples include:
Il est midi pile. (It is exactly noon.)
Il est minuit moins le quart. (It is a quarter to midnight.)
3. Use “du matin,” “de l’après-midi,” or “du soir”
If you want to specify whether it’s morning, afternoon, or evening, you can add “du matin” (in the morning), “de l’après-midi” (in the afternoon), or “du soir” (in the evening) after stating the hour. For instance:
Huit heures du matin. (Eight in the morning.)
Deux heures de l’après-midi. (Two in the afternoon.)
Sept heures du soir. (Seven in the evening.)
Tips for Telling Time in French
1. Remember the 24-hour clock
French speakers commonly use the 24-hour clock system, especially in formal settings or when clarity is crucial. This means that instead of resetting the time after noon, they continue counting until midnight. If you’re not familiar with this system, it’s advisable to practice converting from the 12-hour to the 24-hour clock and vice versa.
2. Pay attention to gender agreement
When using formal expressions, it’s important to remember the gender agreement. Since “heure” (hour) is feminine, it must be paired with “il est” (he is) rather than “elle est” (she is).
Examples of Telling Time in French
1. Formal Examples
- Il est deux heures et quart. (It is two fifteen.)
- Il est sept heures moins dix. (It is ten minutes to seven.)
2. Informal Examples
- Onze heures trente. (Eleven thirty.)
- Il est minuit. (It is midnight.)
Now that you are equipped with the knowledge of how to tell time in French, you can confidently engage in conversations, make plans, and always stay punctual. Practice regularly, and soon enough, expressing the time will become second nature to you. Bonne chance!
