Learning how to tell time in French is an essential step toward mastering the language. While there are some similarities between English and French, there are also key differences, especially when comparing how Americans and French people tell time.

The Basics: Numbers and Time Vocabulary

Before you can tell the time, it’s important to know your numbers. Here’s a quick refresher for numbers in French:

• 1: un
• 2: deux
• 3: trois
• 4: quatre
• 5: cinq
• 6: six
• 7: sept
• 8: huit
• 9: neuf
• 10: dix
• 11: onze
• 12: douze

Now, let’s introduce the essential time-related vocabulary:

• Hour = heure (feminine)
• Minute = minute (feminine)
• Second = seconde (feminine)
• Half past = et demie
• Quarter past = et quart
• Quarter to = moins le quart
• Midnight = minuit
• Noon = midi
• Morning = matin
• Afternoon = après-midi
• Evening = soir

Telling Time in French

In French, you ask for the time by saying:

• “Quelle heure est-il?” = “What time is it?”

a) Exact Hour

To say it’s an exact hour, simply use the number and the word “heure(s).”

• Il est une heure. = It’s 1:00.
• Il est trois heures. = It’s 3:00.

Notice that “heure” becomes plural for times after 1:00 (heures).

b) Minutes Past the Hour

To specify minutes past the hour, say the hour, followed by “heure(s)” and the number of minutes.

• Il est deux heures dix. = It’s 2:10.
• Il est quatre heures vingt. = It’s 4:20.

c) Half Past, Quarter Past, and Quarter To

• Il est cinq heures et demie. = It’s 5:30.
• Il est trois heures et quart. = It’s 3:15.
• Il est six heures moins le quart. = It’s 5:45.
  (Notice that “moins le quart” means “a quarter to the next hour.”)

d) Midnight and Noon

• Il est minuit. = It’s midnight.
• Il est midi. = It’s noon.

12-Hour Clock vs. 24-Hour Clock

a) Americans Use the 12-Hour Clock

In the U.S., the 12-hour clock is most commonly used, where the distinction between AM (morning) and PM (afternoon and evening) is made clear. For example:

• 1:00 PM = “One o’clock in the afternoon.”
• 8:00 AM = “Eight o’clock in the morning.”

b) The French Use the 24-Hour Clock

In France, the 24-hour clock (also known as “military time” in English) is standard in most formal settings like schools, businesses, and transportation schedules. This means that times after 12:00 PM are expressed by adding 12 to the hour. For example:

• 1:00 PM = 13h00 (treize heures)
• 8:00 PM = 20h00 (vingt heures)

You will often hear the 12-hour clock in informal conversation, but in written form and official contexts, the 24-hour format is standard.

Key Differences Between English and French Time Telling

1. Formal vs. Informal Time
   • In English, we use AM and PM to distinguish morning and afternoon.
   • In French, you might specify du matin (in the morning), de l’après-midi (in the afternoon), or du soir (in the evening) when using the 12-hour format. But the 24-hour clock removes any ambiguity in formal settings.
2. Telling Time Minus the Next Hour
   • In French, times like 6:45 are often expressed by saying how many minutes are left until the next hour. For instance, “Il est sept heures moins le quart” means “It’s a quarter to seven,” while in English you might just say, “It’s 6:45.”
3. The Half Hour
   • In French, you say et demie for half past the hour, but only until 12:30 (or midi et demie / minuit et demie). After that, the 24-hour clock kicks in with no special expression for half-past the hour.
4. Pronouncing “Hours”
   • In French, you always include heure(s) when telling the time. In English, you might drop the word “o’clock” in informal speech, like just saying, “It’s three,” instead of, “It’s three o’clock.”

Quick Reference Chart: English vs. French Time

English (12-Hour)	French (12-Hour)	French (24-Hour)
1:00 PM	Une heure de l’après-midi	13h00
3:15 PM	Trois heures et quart	15h15
5:30 AM	Cinq heures et demie	05h30
6:45 PM	Sept heures moins le quart	18h45
Midnight	Minuit	00h00

Keep learning!

Mastering how to tell time in French is all about understanding the subtle differences between English and French, especially when it comes to the 12-hour and 24-hour systems. Whether you’re casually chatting or catching a train in France, knowing both formats will help you stay on track! So, start practicing, and soon, telling time in French will feel as natural as it does in English.

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