How to ask for the time and how to tell the time in German
What time is it? Asking and telling the time in German is easier than you think - read our simple guide below to find out how.
Question
How to ask for the time in German
Wie spät ist es?
How late is it?
Wie viel Uhr ist es?
What time is it?
Answer
How to give the time in German
Es ist fünfzehn Uhr
It is three o'clock (15:00)
Es ist drei Uhr
It is three o'clock (3pm informal)
Es ist drei Uhr
It is three o'clock (3am formal)
Most of the time you will use the 24 hour clock. For more informal settings you can use either the 24 hour or 12 hour clock.
Answer
Half-past, quarter-to and -past the hour
24 Hour
Es ist vierzehn Uhr dreißig
It is half-two (14:30 / 2:30pm)
Es ist vier Uhr dreißig
It is half-four (16:30 / 4:30pm)
Es ist vierzehn Uhr fünfzehn
It is two-fifteen (14:15/2:15pm)
Es ist vierzehn Uhr fünfundvierzig
It is two-fourty-five (14:45/2:45pm)
Answer
Half-past, quarter-to and -past the hour
12 Hour
Es ist halb drei
It is half-two (2:30pm)
Es ist halb fünf
It is half-four (4:30pm)
Es ist Viertel nach zwei
It is a quarter past two (2:15pm)
Es ist Viertel vor drei
It is a quarter to three (2:45pm)
As you can see, in German when you say halb drei, you are referring to the half-hour before three, which is 2:30.
Viertel "quarter".
Answer
Vor (to) and nach (past)
Es ist fünf vor fünf
It is five minutes to five (4:55pm)
Es ist fünf nach fünf
It is five minutes past five (5:05pm)
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