Basic Vocabulary for Telling Time in German

Before diving into sentence structures and usage, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the key German words related to time. These form the foundation for expressing time correctly.

• die Uhr – clock/watch
• die Stunde – hour
• die Minute – minute
• die Sekunde – second
• der Morgen – morning
• der Vormittag – before noon (late morning)
• der Mittag – noon
• der Nachmittag – afternoon
• der Abend – evening
• die Nacht – night
• halb – half
• viertel – quarter
• vor – before
• nach – after

Understanding the 24-Hour vs. 12-Hour Clock in German

One key aspect of how to say time in German is understanding the use of the 24-hour clock versus the 12-hour clock, which varies depending on context.

The 24-Hour Clock

The 24-hour clock is commonly used in official contexts such as train schedules, business hours, and formal announcements. It runs from 00:00 to 23:59 and is straightforward in its numerical representation.

• Example: 15:30 is read as fünfzehn Uhr dreißig (15 hours 30 minutes).
• Example: 09:05 is neun Uhr fünf.

The 12-Hour Clock

In everyday spoken German, the 12-hour clock is frequently used, but without the AM/PM distinctions common in English. Instead, time of day is often clarified by adding phrases like morgens (in the morning), nachmittags (in the afternoon), or abends (in the evening).

• Example: 8 Uhr morgens means 8 AM.
• Example: 8 Uhr abends means 8 PM.

How to Say the Hour in German

Expressing the hour is the first step in telling time.

• The word Uhr (o’clock) is used after the number to indicate the hour.
• Numbers 1 to 12 are used for the 12-hour clock, and 0 to 23 for the 24-hour clock.

Examples:

• 1:00 – ein Uhr
• 3:00 – drei Uhr
• 12:00 – zwölf Uhr

Note: When using “one o’clock,” the numeral “ein” drops the “-s” and becomes “ein” instead of “eins” before “Uhr.”

Expressing Minutes: How to Say Time in German Accurately

Minutes are added after the hour using simple constructions with nach (after) or vor (before).

Minutes After the Hour

When minutes are between 1 and 30, you say the hour first, then nach, then the minutes.

Example:

• 3:10 – drei Uhr zehn nach (literally “three o’clock ten after”)
• 7:20 – sieben Uhr zwanzig nach

However, this format is quite formal and mostly used in official announcements. In everyday speech, simply saying the hour and minutes is sufficient:

• 3:10 – drei Uhr zehn

Minutes Before the Hour

When the minutes are between 31 and 59, Germans often express time by referring to the upcoming hour minus the remaining minutes, using vor (before).

Example:

• 3:50 – zehn vor vier (ten before four)
• 7:45 – <strongviertel vor acht (quarter before eight)

Using “Viertel” and “Halb”

Two special expressions are frequently used when telling time in German:

• Viertel means a quarter (15 minutes).
• Halb means half (30 minutes).

The key difference from English:
– “Viertel nach drei” means 3:15 (quarter after three).
– “Viertel vor vier” means 3:45 (quarter before four).
– “Halb vier” means 3:30 (halfway to four).

Common Phrases for Telling Time in German

Understanding idiomatic expressions helps in everyday conversations.

• Es ist Punkt drei Uhr. – It is exactly 3 o’clock.
• Es ist kurz nach acht. – It is shortly after 8.
• Es ist fast neun. – It is almost 9.
• Es ist Viertel nach sechs. – It is quarter past six.
• Es ist halb zehn. – It is half past nine.
• Es ist Viertel vor zwölf. – It is quarter to twelve.

Practice Tips: How to Master Saying Time in German with Talkpal

Mastering how to say time in German requires consistent practice. Talkpal offers several effective methods to improve your skills:

• Interactive Exercises: Engage with time-telling drills that simulate real-life conversations.
• Audio Lessons: Listen to native speakers pronouncing times to improve your listening and speaking skills.
• Speaking Practice: Use Talkpal’s live chat and voice features to practice telling time in context.
• Custom Quizzes: Regularly test your knowledge with quizzes focused on numbers and time expressions.
• Cultural Insights: Learn how Germans use time expressions in daily life to sound natural and fluent.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Saying Time in German

Being aware of typical errors will help you sound more accurate and confident.

• Confusing “halb” usage: Remember that “halb” refers to the upcoming hour, not the past hour.
• Incorrect number agreement: Use “ein” instead of “eins” before “Uhr.”
• Omitting time of day: When using the 12-hour clock, specify morning (morgens), afternoon (nachmittags), or evening (abends) to avoid confusion.
• Misusing “vor” and “nach”: Use “vor” for minutes before the hour and “nach” for minutes after the hour.

Conclusion

Learning how to say time in German is a vital step toward fluency and effective communication. By mastering the vocabulary, understanding the 12-hour and 24-hour formats, and practicing common phrases, learners can confidently tell and understand time in various contexts. Talkpal is an excellent platform to support this journey, offering interactive tools and authentic practice to enhance your skills. With dedication and the right resources, telling time in German will become second nature, opening the door to richer conversations and cultural experiences.