Understanding the Basics of Telling Time in Romanian

Telling time in Romanian is straightforward once you grasp the fundamental vocabulary and structures. Romanian uses a 24-hour clock in formal settings but commonly employs the 12-hour format in everyday conversation, accompanied by specific phrases to indicate morning, afternoon, or evening.

Key Vocabulary for Telling Time

• Ora</ – hour/time (e.g., “Ora este…” means “The time is…”)
• Minut – minute
• Secondă – second
• Dimineața – morning
• După-amiaza – afternoon
• Seara – evening
• Noaptea – night
• Mijlocul nopții – midnight
• Mijlocul zilei – midday/noon

Romanian Numbers for Time

Knowing numbers is fundamental when telling time. Here are the numbers 1 to 12 in Romanian, which are most commonly used when expressing the hour:

• 1 – unu
• 2 – doi
• 3 – trei
• 4 – patru
• 5 – cinci
• 6 – șase
• 7 – șapte
• 8 – opt
• 9 – nouă
• 10 – zece
• 11 – unsprezece
• 12 – doisprezece

Expressing the Hour in Romanian

In Romanian, the hour is usually expressed using the verb a fi (to be) in the third person singular, “este” for singular and “sunt” for plural (usually for minutes). The basic structure to say the hour is:

Ora este + [hour]

For example:

• Ora este trei. – It is three o’clock.
• Este ora cinci. – It is five o’clock.

Both constructions are acceptable, but “Este ora …” is more common in everyday speech.

Using the 12-Hour Clock

When using the 12-hour clock, Romanians indicate the part of the day by adding phrases:

• dimineața (in the morning) – 6 AM to 12 PM
• după-amiaza (in the afternoon) – 12 PM to 6 PM
• seara (in the evening) – 6 PM to 10 PM
• noaptea (at night) – 10 PM to 6 AM

Examples:

• Este ora opt dimineața. – It is 8 AM.
• Este ora șapte seara. – It is 7 PM.

Using the 24-Hour Clock

In formal contexts such as schedules, official documents, or transportation timetables, Romania primarily uses the 24-hour clock. The hour is stated as a number between 0 and 23, followed by minutes if necessary.

• Ora 14:00 – 2:00 PM
• Ora 23:30 – 11:30 PM

In speech, the 24-hour clock is less common but understood, especially when referring to official times.

Expressing Minutes Past and Before the Hour

Romanian tells minutes past the hour similarly to English but with some unique expressions. Let’s explore how to express minutes after and before the hour.

Minutes Past the Hour (After the Hour)

To express minutes after the hour (e.g., 3:10), you say the hour followed by “și” (and) and then the number of minutes:

• Ora trei și zece. – 3:10
• Ora cinci și douăzeci. – 5:20

If the time is precise, you can say:

• Ora șapte și cinci minute. – 7:05

Minutes Before the Hour (To the Hour)

To express minutes before the next hour, Romanian uses “fără” (without) followed by the number of minutes and the next hour:

• Ora patru fără zece. – 3:50 (ten minutes to four)
• Ora zece fără cinci. – 9:55 (five minutes to ten)

Special Expressions for Quarter and Half Hours

• Un sfert – a quarter (15 minutes)
• Jumătate – half (30 minutes)

Examples:

• Ora două și un sfert. – 2:15
• Ora trei și jumătate. – 3:30
• Ora patru fără un sfert. – 3:45

Asking for and Telling the Time

Common Questions About Time

When you want to ask the time in Romanian, here are the most common phrases:

• Ce oră este? – What time is it?
• Ai / Aveți timp? – Do you have time? (informal/formal)
• La ce oră? – At what time?

Common Responses

When answering, you can use the structures described earlier or keep it simple:

• Este ora cinci. – It is five o’clock.
• Este trei și jumătate. – It is 3:30.
• Sunt zece minute peste patru. – It is ten minutes past four.

Additional Tips for Mastering Romanian Time Expressions

• Practice with digital and analog clocks: Practice saying times aloud using both digital and analog formats to become comfortable with all expressions.
• Listen to native speakers: Pay attention to how Romanians tell time in conversation, movies, or podcasts to understand natural usage.
• Use time-related idioms: Romanian language has idiomatic expressions related to time which can enrich your vocabulary and comprehension.
• Use Talkpal for immersive practice: Interactive language platforms like Talkpal provide real-time practice opportunities with native speakers and structured lessons that make learning to tell time in Romanian efficient and enjoyable.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of telling time in Romanian involves understanding key vocabulary, the structure of expressing hours and minutes, and the cultural preferences for time-telling formats. Whether you use the 12-hour or 24-hour clock, clarity and practice are essential. Utilizing tools like Talkpal can accelerate your learning by offering immersive and interactive experiences. With consistent practice and exposure, telling time in Romanian will become second nature, opening doors to more confident and fluent communication.