How To Tell Time in French

Here's How:

1. Ask the question "Quelle heure est-il ?" (What time is it?)
2. Say "Il est..." (It is...)
3. Say the number of the hour in French (e.g., deux).
4. If it's one o'clock, say "heure." If it is 2 - 12, say "heures." Both are pronounced [eur]. For example: Il est trois heures (It's 3:00)
5. To say half-past the hour, say "et demie." To say a quarter past the hour, say "et quart." For example: Il est 9 heures et quart (It's 9:15).
6. OR to say anywhere from 1 to 59 minutes after the hour, say that number after the hour. For example: Il est une heure dix (It's 1:10).
7. OR to say that it is from 1 to 29 minutes before the hour, say the upcoming hour + "moins" + the number (or "le quart" if it is 15 minutes before the hour). For example: Il est 4 heures moins vingt (It's 20 (minutes) to 4).
8. OR if it's noon, say "midi" OR if it's midnight say "minuit." You can add on to midi and minuit as in steps 5, 6, and 7. However, half-past is spelled "demi" after midi and minuit.

Tips:

1. Note that there may be more than one way to say the time. 3:30 can be 'trois heures et demie' or 'trois heures trente.' 10:45 can be '10 heures 45,' '11 heures moins quinze,' or '11 heures moins le quart.'
2. The French use the 24 hour clock, so for times in the pm, add 12 to the hour. 1pm = 13 heures, 2pm = 14 heures, etc.
3. To abbreviate French time, use 'h' in place of the colon. 4:00 --> 4h00.