Telling time

Learn how to talk about the time in French, using these easy phrases.

  • What time is it? = Quelle heure est-il ? (What hour is it?)
  • It is 8am = “il est huit heures” (It is eight hours).
  • It is 2pm = “il est quatorze heures” (It is 14 hours).
  • It is 2 o’clock in the afternoon = “il est deux heures de l’après-midi” (It is two hours of the afternoon)
  • It is 9pm = “il est 21 heures” (It is 21 hours).
  • It is 9 o’clock at night = “il est neuf heures du soir” (It is nine hours of the evening)
  • It is 7 o’clock in the morning = “il est sept heures du matin” (It is seven hours of the morning)
  • It is 10.30am = “il est dix heures trente.” (It is ten hours 30).
  • It is half past 10 = “il est dix heures et demie.” (It is ten hours and half)
  • It is 10.15am = “il est dix heures quinze.” (It is ten hours 15).
  • It is a quarter past 10 = “il est dix heures et quart.” (It is ten hours and quarter).
  • It is 9.45am = “il est neuf heures quarante-cinq.” (It is nine hours 45).
  • It is a quarter to 10 = “il est dix heures moins le quart.” (It is ten hours less the quarter).
  • It is noon or midday = “il est midi.” (mi = mid, and di = dies [in Latin] = day)
  • It is midnight = “il est minuit” (mi = mid, and nuit = night)
  • I’ll see you at 2pm = “Je vous verrai à 14 heures.” (I will see you at 14 hours)

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • verb: sentir & se sentir

    Meaning “Sentir” vs “Se Sentir” The key distinction between “sentir” and “se sentir” lies in the context and the object of the verb. “Sentir” focuses on external sensations or perceptions, whereas “se sentir” is inward, concerned with one’s emotional and physical state. Conjugation Let’s take a look at how “sentir” and “se sentir” are conjugated…

  • save

    How do you translate “to save” into French? It depends on what you’re saving. If you’re saving someone in the sense of rescuing them, use “sauver.” If you’re saving money by spending less, use “économiser.” If you’re saving money by putting money aside, then use “épargner.” If you’re saving time, use “gagner.” If you’re saving…

  • |

    of course

    The English phrase “of course” can be translated into French in several ways, depending on the context. Here are the most common expressions with usage examples and literal translations. Bien sûr Literal meaning: “Well sure” Évidemment Literal meaning: “Evidently” Naturellement Literal meaning: “Naturally” Bien entendu Literal meaning: “Well understood” Mais oui Literal meaning: “But yes”…

  • chargé

    The French adjective “chargé” has several meanings and can be used in various contexts. Amongst others, it can mean “loaded,” “busy,” “charged” and “heavy.” Here are some usage examples: Etymology of “charger”

  • Possession

    Indicating Ownership or Possession in French Using “à moi,” “à toi,” “à lui,” “à elle,” “à nous,” “à vous,” “à eux,” and “à elles” and How They Differ from Possessive Pronouns In French, indicating ownership or possession can be done in various ways, two of which include using the phrases “à moi,” “à toi,” “à…

  • autant dire

    Autant dire is a fixed French expression used to present a conclusion as obvious, inevitable, or practically equivalent to what has just been stated. It signals that the speaker considers the inference self-evident and not worth elaborating further. In English, it is often rendered as “which is to say,” “so basically,” “that’s pretty much the…