Learn how to read and express time in French with clear explanations and examples. This beginner-level lesson covers telling the hour, adding minutes, using "et demie" and "et quart," and differences between formal and informal time expressions. Master breaking down times like "Il est huit heures moins dix" and understand the use of the 24-hour clock versus 12-hour conversational time.
- We use "Il est" followed by "midi" (noon), "minuit" (midnight), or a specific time.
| Former l'heure (Telling 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 seven oh five.) |
| 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 as "fifteen hours thirty".
- In France, the 24-hour clock is often used in formal situations (such as train timetables), 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 twelve oh four.)
3.
11h45:
Il est ....
(It is a quarter to twelve.)
4.
4h15:
Il est ... heures ....
(It is 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 (sharp).)
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Je travaille ___ neuf heures ce matin.
(I have been working ___ nine o'clock this morning.)2. La réunion dure ___ dix-huit heures.
(The meeting lasts ___ six o'clock.)3. Nous parlons ___ dix minutes.
(We speak ___ ten minutes.)4. Il est ___ dix-neuf heures trente.
(It is ___ seven thirty.)5. Il est midi ___ demi.
(It is twelve ___ thirty.)6. Quelle heure est-il ? Il est sept heures ___ quart.
(What time is it? It is seven ___ quarter.)
