- We use "Il est" followed by "midi" (noon), "minuit" (midnight) or a specific time.
| Former l'heure (Tell the time) | Exemple (Example) |
|---|---|
| Il est + heure (+ pile) | Il est huit heures (pile). (It is eight o'clock (sharp).) |
| Heure + minutes | Il est sept heures cinq. (It is five past seven.) |
| Heure + moins + minutes | Il est treize heures moins dix. (It is ten to one.) |
| Heure + et demie | Il est dix heures et demie. (It is half past ten.) |
| Heure + et quart | Il est treize heure et quart. (It is quarter past one.) |
Exceptions!
- Another way to say "et demi" is "trente", for example 15h30 is written and said "quinze heures trente".
- In France, the 24-hour clock is often used in formal situations (like train schedules), but in informal conversations, the 12-hour clock is preferred.
Exercise 1: Comment lire l'heure ?
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
quatre, minuit quatre, cinq, quinze, seize, midi moins le quart, cinquante cinq, moins vingt, et quart, vingt., dix sept heures (pile), neuf
1.
15h20:
Il est ... heures ....
(It is twenty past three.)
2.
00h04:
Il est ....
(It is four minutes past midnight.)
3.
11h45:
Il est ....
(It is quarter to twelve.)
4.
4h15:
Il est ... heures ....
(It is a quarter past four.)
5.
15h40:
Il est ... heure ....
(It is twenty to four.)
6.
9h05:
Il est ... heures ....
(It is five past nine.)
7.
5h55:
Il est ... heures ....
(It is five fifty-five.)
8.
17h00:
Il est ....
(It is five o'clock.)
Exercise 2: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
minuit quatre
twelve oh four
2
vingt heures treize
twenty thirteen
3
quatre
four
4
midi moins le quart
quarter to twelve