Telling the time and reading the clock
Dire l'heure et lire l'horloge
- Ask and tell the time
- Read the clock
- Expression of time: "Depuis, Jusqu'à, Pendant, etc..."
- How to tell the time?
Learn how to tell the time and read clocks in French with practical vocabulary, key time expressions like 'depuis' and 'jusqu'à', useful daily moment words, and interactive dialogues. This A1 level course focuses on real-life situations such as asking for the time, discussing appointments, and understanding verb usage, facilitating natural conversation and comprehension of French time conventions.
Listening & reading materials
Practice vocabulary in context with real materials.
Vocabulary (17) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercise 1: Reorder sentences
Instruction: Make correct sentences and translate.
Exercise 2: Match a word
Instruction: Match the translations
Exercise 3: Cluster the words
Instruction: Sort the following words into two categories: those that indicate a precise time and those that designate elements useful for telling time.
Heures précises
Éléments pour lire l'heure
Exercise 4: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Pile
On the dot
2
Et quart
Quarter past
3
Et demie
Half past
4
Il est l'heure !
It's time!
5
L'horloge
The clock
Exercice 5: Conversation exercise
Instruction:
- What time is it in the pictures? (What time is it in the pictures?)
- What time is it right now? (What time is it right now?)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
|
Il est trois heures et demie. It's half past 3. |
|
Il est quatre heures de l'après-midi. It is four o'clock in the afternoon. |
|
Il est midi moins le quart. It's a quarter to twelve. |
|
Il est cinq heures dix. It is ten after five. |
|
Il est dix heures et quart du matin. It's quarter past ten in the morning. |
|
Il est une heure du matin. It is one o'clock at night. |
| ... |
Exercise 6: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 7: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Il est dix-sept heures pile, je ___ l'heure sur ma montre.
(It is exactly five o'clock, I ___ the time on my watch.)2. Depuis ce matin, je ___ des rendez-vous à mes collègues.
(Since this morning, I ___ appointments with my colleagues.)3. Pendant la réunion, je ___ l'agenda attentivement.
(During the meeting, I ___ the agenda carefully.)4. Je ___ toujours l'heure exacte à mes amis.
(I ___ always give the exact time to my friends.)Exercise 8: A Well-Organized Day
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Lire - Read
Présent
- je lis
- tu lis
- il/elle/on lit
- nous lisons
- vous lisez
- ils/elles lisent
Donner - Give
Présent
- je donne
- tu donnes
- il/elle/on donne
- nous donnons
- vous donnez
- ils/elles donnent
Exercise 9: Expression du temps: "Depuis, Jusqu'à, Pendant, etc..."
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Expression of time: "Depuis, Jusqu'à, Pendant, etc..."
Show translation Show answersjusque, pendant, depuis, jusqu'à
Exercise 10: Comment lire l'heure ?
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: How to tell the time?
Show translation Show answersquatre, minuit quatre, cinq, quinze, seize, midi moins le quart, cinquante cinq, moins vingt, et quart, vingt., dix sept heures (pile), neuf
Grammar Share Copied!
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A1.13.2 Grammaire
Expression du temps: "Depuis, Jusqu'à, Pendant, etc..."
Expression of time: "Depuis, Jusqu'à, Pendant, etc..."
Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Lire to read Share Copied!
present
| French | English |
|---|---|
| (je/j') je lis / j'lis | I read |
| tu lis | you read |
| (il/elle/on) il lit / elle lit / on lit | he reads / she reads / one reads |
| nous lisons | We read |
| vous lisez | You read |
| (ils/elles) ils lisent / elles lisent | they read |
Donner to give Share Copied!
present
| French | English |
|---|---|
| (je/j') donne | I give |
| (tu) donnes | you give |
| (il/elle/on) donne | he/she/one gives |
| (nous) donnons | we give |
| (vous) donnez | You give |
| (ils/elles) donnent | they give |
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Understanding How to Tell the Time and Read the Clock in French
This lesson introduces you to essential vocabulary and expressions related to telling the time in French, focusing on practical and everyday use. You will learn how to ask and say the time precisely, both in the 12-hour and 24-hour formats, with examples such as "Il est neuf heures pile" (It is exactly nine o'clock) and "Il est dix-sept heures pile" (It is exactly five o'clock in the evening).
Key Time Expressions
The lesson covers commonly used time-related words like depuis (since/for), jusqu'à (until), and pendant (during). For example, you can say "Je travaille depuis neuf heures du matin" (I have been working since nine in the morning) or "La réunion dure jusqu'à dix-huit heures" (The meeting lasts until six in the evening).
Time Units and Daily Moments
You will also classify time vocabulary into categories such as moments of the day — midi (noon), minuit (midnight), du matin (in the morning), du soir (in the evening) — and units of time measurement like la minute (minute) and la seconde (second).
Practical Dialogues
Practice real-life conversations including asking for the time at the office or train station, and discussing appointments at a café. For example, in the dialogue "Excusez-moi, il est quelle heure ?" (Excuse me, what time is it?), you will learn to respond accurately and use time expressions naturally.
Verb Conjugation Focus
The lesson provides multiple-choice exercises and fill-in-the-blank stories to practice verb conjugations for verbs like lire (to read) and donner (to give), centered around telling time and daily routines.
Differences Between English and French Time Expressions
French uses a 24-hour clock commonly in formal contexts, unlike the 12-hour clock favored in English. Phrases like "Il est quinze heures" correspond to 3 PM. Also, prepositions such as depuis, jusqu'à, and pendant specify duration and timing more precisely and are key for expressing when actions start, end, or how long they last. Useful phrases include Quelle heure est-il ? (What time is it?) and Je travaille depuis neuf heures. (I have been working since nine o'clock.) Understanding these phrases helps you navigate daily conversations and schedules effectively.
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