Telling the time and reading the clock
Die Uhrzeit sagen und die Uhr lesen
- Ask and tell the time
- Read the clock
- How do you tell the time?
Learn how to tell the time and read the clock in German with this practical lesson covering common phrases, vocabulary, dialogues, and grammar. Understand key expressions like "Es ist Viertel nach drei" and explore the differences in telling time between German and English.
Vocabulary (18) 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 words into two categories: time indications and time measuring devices.
Zeitangaben
Zeitmessgeräte
Exercise 4: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Wie viel Uhr haben wir?
What time is it?
2
Halb
Half
3
Ankommen
To arrive
4
Es ist ein Uhr.
It is one o'clock.
5
Die Uhr
The clock
Übung 5: Conversation exercise
Anleitung:
- 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:
|
Es ist halb 4. It's half past 3. |
|
Es ist vier Uhr nachmittags. It is four o'clock in the afternoon. |
|
Es ist Viertel vor zwölf. It's a quarter to twelve. |
|
Es ist zehn nach fünf. It is ten after five. |
|
Es ist Viertel nach zehn am Morgen. It's quarter past ten in the morning. |
|
Es ist ein Uhr nachts. 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. Wann ___ dein Kollege zur Besprechung an?
(When ___ does your colleague arrive for the meeting?)2. Er ___ meistens um neun Uhr an.
(He ___ usually arrives at nine o'clock.)3. Weißt du, wie spät ___ jetzt ist?
(Do you know what time ___ it is now?)4. Ich ___, dass es halb sieben ist.
(I ___ that it is half past six.)Exercise 8: On Time for the Appointment
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Ankommen - Arrive
Präsens
- ich komme an
- du kommst an
- er/sie/es kommt an
- wir kommen an
- ihr kommt an
- sie/Sie kommen an
Wissen - Know
Präsens
- ich weiß
- du weißt
- er/sie/es weiß
- wir wissen
- ihr wisst
- sie/Sie wissen
Beginnen - Start
Präsens
- ich beginne
- du beginnst
- er/sie/es beginnt
- wir beginnen
- ihr beginnt
- sie/Sie beginnen
Exercise 9: Wie sagt man die Uhrzeit?
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: How do you tell the time?
Show translation Show answerszehn vor sieben, fünf nach elf, zwölf Uhr, halb zwölf, drei Uhr zehn, Viertel vor drei, sieben Uhr vierzig, halb fünf
Grammar Share Copied!
It's not the most exciting thing, we admit, but it’s absolutely essential (and we promise it'll pay off)!
Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Ankommen to arrive Share Copied!
prasens
| German | English |
|---|---|
| (ich) komme an | I arrive |
| (du) kommst an | You arrive |
| (er/sie/es) kommt an | he/she/it arrives |
| (wir) kommen an | we arrive |
| (ihr) kommt an | you arrive |
| (sie) kommen an | they arrive |
Wissen to know Share Copied!
prasens
| German | English |
|---|---|
| (ich) weiß | I know |
| (du) weißt | You know |
| (er/sie/es) weiß | he/she/it knows |
| (wir) wissen | we know |
| (ihr) wisst | you know |
| (sie) wissen | they know |
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Tell the Time and Read the Clock in German
This lesson introduces you to telling the time in German, an essential skill for everyday conversations, appointments, and schedules. You will learn how to ask and say the time clearly, using common phrases such as Es ist Viertel nach drei (It is quarter past three) and Es ist halb sieben (It is half past six).
Key Time Expressions
The lesson covers important time expressions including hours, minutes, quarters, and halves. You will understand how to describe times like drei Uhr zehn (3:10), fünf vor acht (five minutes to eight), and more.
Useful Vocabulary
- die Uhr – the clock/watch
- die Minute – the minute
- die Stunde – the hour
- die Sekunde – the second
- die Uhrzeit – the time of day
Practical Dialogues
You will practice real-life conversations such as asking about train departure times at the station, arranging meeting times at the office, and asking for the time in a café. These dialogues help you become comfortable with asking and answering questions involving time in different contexts.
Grammar Highlight
The lesson also introduces verb conjugations crucial for time-telling situations, such as ankommen (to arrive), wissen (to know), and beginnen (to begin), in the present tense.
Important Differences in German Time-telling
Unlike English, German often describes time using quarter hours (viertel) and halves (halb), which are expressed relative to the next hour. For example, halb sieben literally means "half of seven" but corresponds to 6:30 in English. Also, German typically states the exact minute (like "fünf vor acht" = five minutes to eight) rather than less precise references. Becoming familiar with these structures enhances your understanding and fluency in everyday time expressions.
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