How to tell time in French?
Bonjour! Knowing how to tell time in French is a valuable skill, whether you are traveling to a French-speaking country, communicating with French-speaking friends, or simply learning the language.
Here are some tips to help you tell time correctly and confidently in French.
1. Know the French words for the numbers:
French uses the same numbers as in English to tell time, but it’s important to know how to say them in French: un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf, dix, onze, douze, treize, quatorze, quinze, seize, dix-sept, dix-huit, dix-neuf, and vingt.
2. Know the French words for hours and minutes:
heures (hours) and minutes (minutes).
3. Know how to ask for the time:
“Quelle heure est-il?” (What time is it?)
4. Know how to give the time:
To say that it is 4:30, for example, you would say “Il est quatre heures et demie” (It is 4:30).
Note that French uses a 24-hour clock, so “16 heures” would mean 4:00 PM.
5. Practice, practice, practice:
The best way to improve your ability to tell time in French is to practice regularly.
Try setting your watch to French time, and asking and answering the time in French as often as possible.
With these tips, you’ll be able to tell time in French with confidence! À bientôt!
©Frenchlanguagebasics.com