Language/German/Vocabulary/Telling-Time
As a German language teacher for over 20 years, I have seen just how important it is to understand how to express time in German. In this lesson, you will learn how to tell time in German and ask for the time. This lesson is part of the "Complete 0 to A1 German Course". Let's get started!
German Time Expressions
Before diving into how to tell time in German, it's crucial to understand the basic German time expressions. Here are some of the most common German time expressions:
- __die Uhrzeit__ - time (literally "clock time")
- __halb__ - half
- __viertel nach__ - quarter past
- __viertel vor__ - quarter to
Telling Time in German
Telling time in German is relatively easy once you understand some basic rules. Here's how to express time in German:
- Use the 24-hour clock system: German speakers use the 24-hour clock system, so it's important to know how to use it. Instead of saying, for example, "3:00 PM", Germans would say "15:00".
- Say the hour first: When telling time in German, always say the hour first, followed by the minutes.
- Use "Uhr" to indicate the hour: If you're telling time on the hour, use the word "Uhr" after the hour. For example, "es ist zwei Uhr" means "it is two o'clock".
- Use "nach" and "vor" to indicate minutes after or before the hour: If you're telling time after the hour, use "nach" (after) to indicate the minutes past the hour. For example, "es ist drei nach zehn" means "it is ten past three".
If you're telling time before the hour, use "vor" (before) to indicate the minutes before the hour. For example, "es ist zehn vor drei" means "it is ten to three".
- Use "halb" to indicate half past the hour: For example, "es ist halb zwei" means "it is half past one".
- Use "viertel vor/nach" to indicate quarter to and quarter past the hour: For example, "es ist viertel nach acht" means "it is quarter past eight" and "es ist viertel vor sieben" means "it is quarter to seven".
Here are some examples of telling time in German using these rules:
German | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Es ist eins | es ist eins | It is one o'clock. |
Es ist fünfzehn Uhr | es ist fünf-t-zehn uhr | It is fifteen o'clock (3:00 PM). |
Es ist Viertel vor drei | es ist viertel vor drei | It is quarter to three. |
Es ist drei nach halb sechs | es ist drei nach halb sechs | It is three thirty-three. |
Es ist halb acht | es ist halb acht | It is half past seven. |
It's essential to practice telling time in German aloud to improve your pronunciation and internalize the rules.
Asking for the Time in German
Now that you know how to tell time, you'll need to know how to ask for the time in German. Here are two common ways to ask for the time:
- __Wie spät ist es?__ - What time is it?
- __Können Sie mir bitte sagen, wie spät es ist?__ - Can you please tell me what time it is?
These phrases are polite ways to ask for the time in German, and most Germans will be pleased to help.
Conclusion
Congratulations, you've just learned how to tell time in German and ask for the time. Practice is key when learning new vocabulary, so make sure to practice telling time in German as much as you can. Keep practicing, and you'll be fluent in no time!
Sources
Videos
Telling The Time | Learn German for Beginners | Lesson 09 - YouTube
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