What Time Is It In French?
Learning the concept of time in another language can be confusing. French culture encourages the use of a 24 hour clock, and it can be helpful to be able to know how to tell time in French in order to behave properly in certain social situations. Understanding the basics of talking about time in French can help you engage in social activities in France and other Francophone countries more easily.
The 12 Hour Clock
The 12 hour clock is generally used in daily communication in French. This is the version you may be more accustomed to, as it features two sets of numbers from 1 to 12 and uses AM and PM for the amount of time that has already passed throughout the day. When talking about the 12 hour clock in French it is necessary to use the terms “du matin” for AM and “du soir” for PM. For example, to say “two in the afternoon” (2 PM) in French, say “deux heures du soir.” For “two in the morning” (2 AM), say “deux heures du matin.”
The 24 Hour Clock
When you’re in need of a more specific time, or if you’re filling out forms or writing something formal, you may need to use the 24 hour clock. In French, the 24 hour clock is fairly straightforward and easy to learn. To say “five o’clock” in French, you would say “cinq heures” regardless of whether it is AM or PM. However, it is necessary to specify whether it is in the morning or evening. For example, to say “five in the morning” (5 AM) in French, you would say “cinq heures du matin.” To say “five in the evening” (5 PM) in French, you would say “cinq heures du soir.”
Quick Tips For Reading Time In French
Using the 12 hour clock is the best way to go when talking about time informally. When talking about the 24 hour clock, be sure to mention the amount of time that has passed so far in the day. It helps to add the words “heure” (hour) and “minute” (minute) after the numbers in order to make things more specific. For example, you can say “il est cinq heures quarante cinq” to say “it is 5:45.”
Having a basic understanding of telling time in French can be beneficial to anyone wanting to travel to a Francophone country. As long as you know the basics of the 12 hour clock and the 24 hour clock, you can easily communicate the time in French to those around you.