If you’re learning German, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with reading the time. Knowing how to tell the time is not only an essential skill for daily life, but it will also help you navigate appointments, catch transportation, and meet people punctually. In this beginner’s guide, we will walk you through the basics of telling the time in German.

What are the common ways to express time in German?

In German, there are two main ways to express the time: using the 12-hour clock or the 24-hour clock. The 12-hour clock is more commonly used in everyday conversation, while the 24-hour clock is prevalent in formal or written settings.

How to read the time using the 12-hour clock

When reading the time using the 12-hour clock, you can start by stating the hour and then the minutes. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Hour: In German, the hours are stated just like in English. For example, “eins” is one, “fünf” is five, and “zwölf” is twelve.
  • Minutes: To express the minutes, you say the hour followed by “Uhr” (o’clock), and then state the minutes. For example, “sieben Uhr fünfzehn” means quarter past seven.
  • Half past: If it’s half past the hour, you say the hour followed by “halb.” For example, “acht Uhr halb” means half past eight.
  • Quarter past and quarter to: To express quarter past the hour, you use “viertel nach” and for quarter to the hour, you use “viertel vor.” For example, “viertel nach zwei” means quarter past two, and “viertel vor zehn” means quarter to ten.
  • Minutes past and minutes to: For other minutes past the hour, you say the hour, followed by “Minuten nach” and then state the number of minutes. On the other hand, to express minutes to the hour, you use “Minuten vor.” For example, “zehn Minuten nach sechs” means ten minutes past six, and “zwanzig Minuten vor neun” means twenty minutes to nine.

How to read the time using the 24-hour clock

With the 24-hour clock, stating the time becomes more straightforward. The hour is expressed in two digits, followed by “Uhr.” For example, 5:00 PM is “17 Uhr” in the 24-hour clock.

Useful phrases to talk about the time

Here are some useful phrases that can come in handy when discussing time in German:

  • Wie spät ist es? – What time is it?
  • Es ist… – It is…
  • Um wieviel Uhr… ? – At what time…?
  • Bis um wieviel Uhr? – Until what time?
  • Von wann bis wann? – From when to when?

Practicing these phrases will help you navigate conversations involving time much more easily.

Final thoughts

Learning how to read the time in German is an essential skill that will prove valuable in your daily life and interactions. By mastering the basic techniques discussed in this beginner’s guide, you’ll be well on your way to understanding and communicating time effectively in the German language.

We hope this guide has provided you with a solid foundation for reading the time in German. Keep practicing and soon, telling the time will become effortless!

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