Learning French: how to tell the time in France

O’clock, half past, noon… Practise key time phrases and vocabulary in this practical French lesson from the Little Language School

We take a sneak peak at ways to talk about time in France, as featured in the Little Language School’s online French course
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The very first step to telling time in French is knowing how to count from numbers one to 24 (bonus points if you can reach up to 59). 

Using the 24-hour clock (military time) is typically the default method of talking about time in France but it is also useful to know how to say and understand phrases relating to the 12-hour clock.

Mastering these terms means you will easily be able to make appointments, understand travel announcements, meet up with friends and much more… one less excuse for being late!

We take a sneak peak at some basic French time-themed phrases and exercises featured in the Little Language School’s online course.

Helpful vocabulary exercise 

Here are some key terms and phrases that could come in handy when telling the time in French:

  • In the morning/AM - Du matin

  • In the afternoon/PM (before 18:00) - De l’après-midi

  • In the evening/PM (after 18:00) - Du soir

  • Noon - Midi

  • Midnight - Minuit

  • It is - Il est

  • O’clock - Heures (note that when writing digital time in French, the ':' is replaced with 'h' to represent the heures, e.g. 17h25)

  • Half past - Et demie/Trente (30)

  • Quarter past - Et quart/Quinze (15)

  • Quarter to - Moins le quart/Quarante-cinq (45)

The same pattern applies for all minutes in the hour:  Ten to (moins dix), twenty-five past (vingt-cinq). 

Read also:  Learning French: when and why do we say un de ces quatre?

Put yourself to the test: try asking yourself 'Quelle heure est-il?' (What time is it?) at random moments throughout the day and saying the time on the clock in French.

For example:

  • Il est huit heures du matin - It is eight o’clock in the morning.

  • Il est dix heures et quart - It is quarter past ten (AM).

  • Il est minuit - It is midnight.

Read also: How to gain confidence in speaking French

12-hour clock or 24-hour clock?

Decide whether each statement applies to the 12-hour clock, the 24-hour clock, both, or neither:

1. The phrases ‘in the morning, afternoon, etc.’ are NOT allowed

Click to show answer
A) 24-hour clock (The 24-hour clock does not use ‘du matin’, ‘de l’après-midi’ etc.)

2. The phrase ‘et demie’ MUST replace ‘trente’ for the half-hour

Click to show answer
A) 12-hour clock (In the 12-hour clock, ‘et demie’ is used instead of ‘trente’)

3. After the 12 o’clock hour, we restart at 1 for the afternoon

Click to show answer
A) 12-hour clock (The 12-hour clock restarts counting at 1 PM)

4. The answer to the question ‘Quelle heure est-il’ starts with ‘Il est…’

Click to show answer
A) Both (This applies to both the 12-hour and 24-hour clocks)

5. We use this time when talking about schedules (trains, schools, TV, etc). 

Click to show answer
A) 24-hour clock (Schedules typically use the 24-hour clock for clarity)

Read also: Ten French language basics to master before studying irregular verbs

Finally, take a piece of paper and try writing the times in French (in words) for each clock. 

First, write it using the 12-hour clock. Next, write it using the 24-hour clock assuming it is AM. Last, write it using the 24-hour clock assuming it is PM. 

This lesson is an extract from Module 4 of the Little Language School online French course. These exercises are intended for use alongside a selection of explanatory videos. 

Learn simple practical French with this digital course for beginners. Connexion readers can save €60 with this partner offer.

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