Understanding the Hebrew Clock System

The 12-Hour and 24-Hour Formats

In Hebrew, time can be expressed using both the 12-hour and 24-hour clock systems, similar to English and many other languages. However, the context often determines which format is preferred.

• 12-Hour Clock: Commonly used in casual conversations, daily interactions, and informal settings. It relies on the use of “בוקר” (boker – morning), “צהריים” (tzohorayim – afternoon), “ערב” (erev – evening), and “לילה” (layla – night) to clarify whether the time is AM or PM.
• 24-Hour Clock: More formal and used in official contexts such as transportation schedules, news broadcasts, and military time. This system avoids ambiguity by expressing the hour from 0 to 23.

For example, 3:00 PM in Hebrew casual speech might be “שלוש אחר הצהריים” (shalosh achar hatzohorayim), while in the 24-hour format it is “חמש עשרה” (chamesh esreh).

Reading and Pronouncing Hebrew Numbers for Time

To tell time, learners need to be familiar with Hebrew numbers, especially those from 1 to 60.

• Hours: Hebrew hours are counted from one to twelve (or up to twenty-four in the 24-hour system). For instance, one o’clock is “אחת” (achat) for feminine and “אחד” (echad) for masculine, but when telling time, the feminine form is typically used because the word “שעה” (sha’ah – hour) is feminine.
• Minutes: Minutes are expressed from 1 to 59, using the cardinal numbers in feminine form when paired with “דקה” (dakah – minute), which is also feminine.

A quick reference for numbers used in telling time includes:

Number	Hebrew (Masculine)	Hebrew (Feminine)
1	אחד (echad)	אחת (achat)
2	שניים (shnayim)	שתיים (shtayim)
3	שלושה (shlosha)	שלוש (shalosh)
4	ארבעה (arba’a)	ארבע (arba)
5	חמישה (chamisha)	חמש (chamesh)
10	עשרה (asarah)	עשר (eser)

Basic Phrases for Telling Time in Hebrew

Expressing the Hour

When stating the time, the formula is usually:

השעה + [number]

which means “The hour is [number].” Here’s how to say it:

• “השעה אחת” (hasha’ah achat) – It is one o’clock.
• “השעה שתיים” (hasha’ah shtayim) – It is two o’clock.
• “השעה שלוש” (hasha’ah shalosh) – It is three o’clock.

Note that the feminine form of numbers is used because “שעה” (sha’ah) is feminine.

Adding Minutes

To include minutes, the structure is:

השעה + [hour] + ו + [minutes]

where “ו” (ve) means “and.”

Examples:

• “השעה שלוש ו עשר דקות” (hasha’ah shalosh ve eser dakot) – It is 3:10.
• “השעה חמש ו עשרים דקות” (hasha’ah chamesh ve esrim dakot) – It is 5:20.

Alternatively, for informal speech, “דקה” (dakah) can be singular for one minute:

• “השעה שתיים ו דקה” (hasha’ah shtayim ve dakah) – It is 2:01.

Using “Quarter” and “Half” in Hebrew Time

Like many languages, Hebrew has specific terms for quarter past, quarter to, and half past the hour:

• רבע (reva) – quarter (15 minutes)
• חצי (chetzi) – half (30 minutes)

Examples:

• “השעה שלוש ורבע” (hasha’ah shalosh ve reva) – It is 3:15 (quarter past three).
• “השעה ארבע וחצי” (hasha’ah arba ve chetzi) – It is 4:30 (half past four).
• “רבע לחמש” (reva lechamesh) – Quarter to five (literally “quarter to five”).

Notice that “לחמש” (lechamesh) means “to five” and uses the preposition “ל” (le) indicating “to” or “until.”

Formal and Informal Ways to Tell Time

Formal Time Telling

In formal or official contexts, such as news broadcasts, timetables, and announcements, the 24-hour clock is prevalent.

• Hours are expressed from 0 to 23 without “בוקר,” “ערב,” etc.
• For example, 18:45 (6:45 PM) is read as “שמונה עשרה ו ארבעים וחמש דקות” (shmonah esreh ve arba’im ve chamesh dakot).

Informal Time Telling

In everyday conversation, people usually use the 12-hour clock with time-of-day indicators:

• בוקר (boker): Morning (midnight to noon)
• צהריים (tzohorayim): Afternoon (12 PM to about 4 PM)
• ערב (erev): Evening (4 PM to midnight)
• לילה (layla): Night (used mostly for late night hours)

Example:

• “השעה שבע בבוקר” (hasha’ah sheva baboker) – It is 7 in the morning.
• “השעה תשע בערב” (hasha’ah tesha ba’erev) – It is 9 in the evening.

Special Expressions and Cultural Notes

“Exactly” and “About” in Hebrew Time

When precision is important, the word “בדיוק” (bediyuk) means “exactly.”

• “השעה תשע בדיוק” (hasha’ah tesha bediyuk) – It is exactly 9 o’clock.

For approximate times, “בערך” (be’erekh) means “about” or “around.”

• “השעה שתיים בערך” (hasha’ah shtayim be’erekh) – It is about 2 o’clock.

Expressing “Early” and “Late”

• “מוקדם” (mukdam) means “early.”
• “מאוחר” (meuchar) means “late.”

Example:

• “הפגישה מוקדמת” (hapgisha mukdemet) – The meeting is early.
• “אני מאחר” (ani me’acher) – I am late.

Practical Tips for Learning to Tell Time in Hebrew

Practice with Real-Life Scenarios

Engage in conversations about daily schedules, appointments, and plans with native speakers or language partners using platforms like Talkpal. Practice expressing times for meetings, meals, and events.

Use Visual Aids and Clocks

Label clocks with Hebrew numbers and phrases to reinforce learning. Practicing reading analog and digital clocks in Hebrew will build familiarity with both 12-hour and 24-hour formats.

Memorize Key Time-Related Vocabulary

Keep a list of essential words such as:

• שעה (hour)
• דקה (minute)
• רבע (quarter)
• חצי (half)
• בוקר (morning)
• ערב (evening)

Listen to Hebrew Media

Listening to Hebrew radio, TV shows, and podcasts helps you understand how native speakers tell time naturally. Notice how time is expressed in different contexts.

Conclusion

Mastering how to tell time in Hebrew is a fundamental skill that enhances your overall language proficiency and cultural understanding. By learning the numbers, familiarizing yourself with the 12-hour and 24-hour systems, and practicing common phrases, you will gain confidence in discussing time-related topics. Remember to leverage interactive tools such as Talkpal to practice speaking and listening in a supportive environment. With consistent practice and exposure to authentic Hebrew usage, telling time will become second nature, opening the door to smoother communication and deeper engagement with Hebrew speakers around the world.