Italian Time: Mastering "What Time Is It?"

This week, let's unlock the secrets to asking and telling time like a true Italian! Learning to say "what time is it in Italian" is a fundamental skill for any traveler or language enthusiast. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the Italian clock.

How Do You Say What Time Is It In Italian?: The Basics

The most common way to ask for the time in Italian is:

  • "Che ore sono?" - This translates directly to "What hours are (they)?" and is the most versatile phrase.

You can also use:

  • "Che ora e?" - This translates to "What hour is it?" and is used when asking for the time in general or for the current time.

Both phrases are perfectly acceptable and widely understood. When you're learning "how do you say what time is it in Italian," these two are your starting points.

How Do You Say What Time Is It In Italian?: Telling the Time (O'Clock)

When answering, you'll use the verb "essere" (to be). Here's how to tell the time on the hour:

  • E l'una. - It's one o'clock. (Use "l'una" because it's feminine and singular)
  • Sono le due. - It's two o'clock.
  • Sono le tre. - It's three o'clock.
  • Sono le quattro. - It's four o'clock.
  • Sono le cinque. - It's five o'clock.
  • Sono le sei. - It's six o'clock.
  • Sono le sette. - It's seven o'clock.
  • Sono le otto. - It's eight o'clock.
  • Sono le nove. - It's nine o'clock.
  • Sono le dieci. - It's ten o'clock.
  • Sono le undici. - It's eleven o'clock.
  • Sono le dodici. - It's twelve o'clock.

Notice that you use "Sono le" (they are) for all hours except one o'clock, where you use "E l'una" (it is one). Now you know "how do you say what time is it in Italian" on the hour!

How Do You Say What Time Is It In Italian?: Minutes Past the Hour

To add minutes past the hour, you simply add "e" (and) followed by the number of minutes:

  • Sono le due e cinque. - It's five past two.
  • Sono le quattro e dieci. - It's ten past four.
  • Sono le sei e venti. - It's twenty past six.
  • Sono le otto e venticinque. - It's twenty-five past eight.
  • Sono le dieci e trenta. - It's thirty past ten. (Also, use "e mezzo" half or "e mezza")

How Do You Say What Time Is It In Italian?: Minutes To the Hour

To express minutes to the hour, you use "meno" (minus):

  • Sono le due meno cinque. - It's five to two.
  • Sono le quattro meno dieci. - It's ten to four.
  • Sono le sei meno venti. - It's twenty to six.
  • Sono le otto meno venticinque. - It's twenty-five to eight.
  • Sono le dieci meno un quarto. - It's quarter to ten. ("Un quarto" means a quarter.)

Understanding "meno" is crucial when mastering "how do you say what time is it in Italian."

How Do You Say What Time Is It In Italian?: Half Past and Quarter Past

There are specific ways to say half past and quarter past the hour:

  • Sono le tre e mezza. - It's half past three. ("Mezza" means half.)
  • Sono le cinque e un quarto. - It's quarter past five. ("Un quarto" means a quarter.)

These expressions are common and easily understood, so make sure to add them to your vocabulary as you learn "how do you say what time is it in Italian."

How Do You Say What Time Is It In Italian?: AM and PM

To specify AM (ante meridiem) and PM (post meridiem), you can use:

  • del mattino - in the morning (AM)
  • del pomeriggio - in the afternoon (PM)
  • della sera - in the evening (PM)
  • di notte - at night (PM)

For example:

  • Sono le otto del mattino. - It's eight o'clock in the morning.
  • Sono le tre del pomeriggio. - It's three o'clock in the afternoon.
  • Sono le nove di sera. - It's nine o'clock in the evening.
  • E l'una di notte. - It's one o'clock at night.

Using these phrases will add clarity when you say or ask "how do you say what time is it in Italian".

How Do You Say What Time Is It In Italian?: Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Forgetting "le" with plural hours: Remember to use "Sono le due," "Sono le tre," etc. "Sono due" is grammatically incorrect when telling time.
  • Confusing "e" and "meno": "E" is for minutes past, while "meno" is for minutes to. Pay attention to the context!
  • Using "un quarto" incorrectly: Remember that "un quarto" always refers to 15 minutes (a quarter of an hour).

By avoiding these common pitfalls, you'll be well on your way to confidently saying "how do you say what time is it in Italian."

How Do You Say What Time Is It In Italian?: Practice Makes Perfect

The best way to learn is through practice. Try asking and answering the time with a friend or language partner. Listen to Italian speakers and pay attention to how they express the time. The more you practice, the more natural it will become. Knowing "how do you say what time is it in Italian" fluently will enhance your Italian language abilities.

Question & Answer: How Do You Say What Time Is It In Italian?

  • Q: What are the two main ways to ask "What time is it?" in Italian?
    • A: "Che ore sono?" and "Che ora e?"
  • Q: How do you say "It's one o'clock?"
    • A: "E l'una."
  • Q: How do you say "It's half past four?"
    • A: "Sono le quattro e mezza."
  • Q: How do you say "It's a quarter to eight?"
    • A: "Sono le otto meno un quarto."
  • Q: How do you specify AM and PM?
    • A: Use phrases like "del mattino" (morning), "del pomeriggio" (afternoon), "della sera" (evening), and "di notte" (night).

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Summary Question and Answer: The two main phrases are "Che ore sono?" and "Che ora e?". "It's one o'clock" is "E l'una". "Half past four" is "Sono le quattro e mezza". "Quarter to eight" is "Sono le otto meno un quarto". AM/PM can be specified with "del mattino," "del pomeriggio," "della sera," or "di notte."