Telling Time in French (L’Heure)

Mastering Yes/No Questions in French Grammar A1
August 11, 2024
Common French Phrases for Beginners: Merci, S’il vous plaît, Excusez-moi
August 11, 2024
20
Telling Time in French (L’Heure)

Telling Time in French (L’Heure)

Telling Time in French (L’Heure)

Understanding how to tell time is one of the most practical and essential skills when learning a new language. For beginners at the A1 level, mastering the basics of telling time in French will help you navigate everyday situations such as scheduling meetings, catching transportation, or simply understanding when events occur. This comprehensive guide will take you through the rules of telling time in French, provide numerous examples, and offer tips on avoiding common mistakes.

The Basics of Telling Time in French

In French, time is typically expressed using the 24-hour clock, especially in formal contexts like transportation schedules and official documents. However, in everyday conversation, the 12-hour clock is commonly used, often accompanied by phrases such as “du matin” (in the morning), “de l’après-midi” (in the afternoon), or “du soir” (in the evening) to clarify the time of day.

Key Vocabulary for Telling Time

Before diving into how to tell time, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the key vocabulary:

  1. L’heure (feminine) – The time or hour
  2. Minute (feminine) – Minute
  3. Seconde (feminine) – Second
  4. Midi – Noon (12:00 PM)
  5. Minuit – Midnight (12:00 AM)
  6. Du matin – In the morning (AM)
  7. De l’après-midi – In the afternoon (PM)
  8. Du soir – In the evening (PM)

Asking the Time in French

To ask what time it is, you can use the following phrases:

  1. Quelle heure est-il? – What time is it?
  2. Il est quelle heure? – What time is it? (less formal)

Both of these questions are interchangeable, but “Quelle heure est-il?” is more formal and commonly used.

Examples:

  • Q: Quelle heure est-il?
  • A: Il est deux heures. (It is two o’clock.)

Telling Time in French: Full Hours

To tell the time in full hours, use the phrase “Il est” followed by the number corresponding to the hour and the word “heure(s)” (hour/hours).

Structure:

  • Il est + [number] + heure(s)

Examples:

  1. Il est une heure. (It is one o’clock.)
  2. Il est trois heures. (It is three o’clock.)
  3. Il est cinq heures. (It is five o’clock.)

Note: The word “heure” is singular when referring to one o’clock (une heure) but becomes plural (“heures”) for all other times.

Telling Time in French: Minutes Past the Hour

When expressing minutes past the hour, follow this structure:

Structure:

  • Il est + [number] + heure(s) + [minutes]

Examples:

  1. Il est trois heures cinq. (It is 3:05.)
  2. Il est sept heures vingt. (It is 7:20.)
  3. Il est dix heures quarante. (It is 10:40.)

If it is exactly 15 minutes past the hour, you can use the term “et quart” (and a quarter):

Examples:

  1. Il est deux heures et quart. (It is 2:15.)
  2. Il est onze heures et quart. (It is 11:15.)

If it is exactly 30 minutes past the hour, use “et demie” (and a half):

Examples:

  1. Il est six heures et demie. (It is 6:30.)
  2. Il est une heure et demie. (It is 1:30.)

Telling Time in French: Minutes to the Hour

To express minutes before the next hour, use the word “moins” (minus) to subtract the minutes from the next full hour.

Structure:

  • Il est + [next hour] + heure(s) + moins + [minutes]

Examples:

  1. Il est cinq heures moins dix. (It is 4:50.)
  2. Il est huit heures moins le quart. (It is 7:45. – literally “8 hours minus a quarter”)
  3. Il est onze heures moins vingt. (It is 10:40.)

Special Case: When it is exactly 15 minutes before the hour, you can say “moins le quart”:

Examples:

  1. Il est deux heures moins le quart. (It is 1:45.)
  2. Il est neuf heures moins le quart. (It is 8:45.)

Using “Midi” and “Minuit”

In French, “midi” (noon) and “minuit” (midnight) are used instead of 12:00 PM and 12:00 AM, respectively.

Examples:

  1. Il est midi. (It is noon.)
  2. Il est minuit. (It is midnight.)

To express minutes past noon or midnight, simply follow the same rules:

Examples:

  1. Il est midi cinq. (It is 12:05 PM.)
  2. Il est minuit dix. (It is 12:10 AM.)

Using the 24-Hour Clock

In formal or official contexts, French uses the 24-hour clock. For example, 1:00 PM is expressed as “13 heures.”

Examples:

  1. Il est quatorze heures. (It is 2:00 PM.)
  2. Il est dix-sept heures trente. (It is 5:30 PM.)

Note: When using the 24-hour clock, the words “du matin,” “de l’après-midi,” and “du soir” are not used since the time of day is already clear.

Asking About Specific Times

To ask about a specific time, you can use phrases like:

  1. À quelle heure…? – At what time…?
  • Example: À quelle heure commence le film? (At what time does the movie start?)
  1. À quelle heure est… – At what time is…?
  • Example: À quelle heure est le rendez-vous? (At what time is the appointment?)

Examples:

  1. Q: À quelle heure est ton cours?
  • A: Mon cours est à dix heures. (My class is at 10:00.)
  1. Q: À quelle heure part le train?
  • A: Le train part à seize heures. (The train leaves at 4:00 PM.)

Expressing Time in Conversations

Here are some examples of how time is used in everyday conversations:

  1. Meeting a Friend:
  • Q: À quelle heure on se retrouve?
  • A: On se retrouve à quinze heures. (We’ll meet at 3:00 PM.)
  1. Making Plans:
  • Q: On mange à quelle heure ce soir?
  • A: On mange à dix-neuf heures. (We’re eating at 7:00 PM.)
  1. Setting an Alarm:
  • Q: À quelle heure dois-je me réveiller demain?
  • A: Réveille-toi à sept heures. (Wake up at 7:00 AM.)

Common Mistakes and Tips

  1. Using “heure” Correctly: Remember that “heure” (hour) is feminine, so it’s “une heure” (one o’clock) and not “un heure.”
  • Incorrect: Il est un heure.
  • Correct: Il est une heure.
  1. “Et demi” vs. “Et demie”: Use “et demie” for feminine nouns like “heure.”
  • Incorrect: Il est trois heures et demi.
  • Correct: Il est trois heures et demie.
  1. Dropping the Article in “À quelle heure…”: Don’t forget to include the article when asking about specific times.
  • Incorrect: À quelle heure commence film?
  • Correct: À quelle heure commence le film?
  1. Clarifying AM/PM: In informal contexts, if you’re using the 12-hour clock, remember to clarify the time of day.
  • Example: Il est huit heures du soir. (It is 8:00 PM.)

Practice Exercises

Here are some exercises to help you practice telling time in French:

  1. Convert the Following Times into French:
  • 1:15 PM
  • 7:45 AM
  • 12:30 PM
  • 3:50 PM Answers:
  • Il est treize heures quinze.
  • Il est sept heures quarante-cinq du matin.
  • Il est midi et demie.
  • Il est quinze heures cinquante.
  1. Translate the Following Sentences into French:
  • The meeting is at 2:00 PM.
  • What time does the movie start?
  • The train leaves at 8:30 AM.
  • We are eating at 7:00 PM. Answers:
  • La réunion est à quatorze heures.
  • À quelle heure commence le film?
  • Le train part à huit heures trente du matin.
  • Nous mangeons à dix-neuf heures.
  1. Correct the Mistakes in the Following Sentences:
  • Il est un heure du matin.
  • À quelle heure est concert?
  • Il est trois heures et demi.
  • Le film commence à dix-neuf heure. Answers:
  • Il est une heure du matin.
  • À quelle heure est le concert?
  • Il est trois heures et demie.
  • Le film commence à dix-neuf heures.

Cultural Notes on Telling Time in French

  1. 24-Hour Clock: The 24-hour clock is widely used in France for schedules, such as in schools, businesses, and public transportation. However, in casual conversations, the 12-hour clock with clarifying phrases (“du matin,” “de l’après-midi,” “du soir”) is commonly used.
  2. Punctuality: In French culture, punctuality is generally expected, especially in professional settings. Being late can be seen as disrespectful, so knowing how to tell time accurately is important.
  3. Time Expressions: In addition to telling time, there are various time expressions used in French:
  • “À l’heure” (on time)
  • “En retard” (late)
  • “De bonne heure” (early)

Examples:

  • Je suis arrivé à l’heure. (I arrived on time.)
  • Elle est toujours en retard. (She is always late.)
  • Nous avons commencé de bonne heure. (We started early.)

Conclusion

Mastering how to tell time in French is an essential skill that will help you navigate daily life and interactions in French-speaking environments. By understanding the vocabulary, practicing the different ways to express time, and familiarizing yourself with both the 12-hour and 24-hour clocks, you’ll be well-equipped to handle any situation where time is involved.

Remember to practice regularly, use time-telling expressions in real-life conversations, and pay attention to common mistakes to improve your fluency. Bonne chance (good luck) on your journey to mastering French!

Links:
French Grammar
French Vocabulary