When traveling to Germany or learning the German language, one of the first practical phrases you’ll need is knowing how to ask for and tell the time. Understanding “What Time In Germany” is more than just translating words; it’s about navigating daily life, scheduling meetings, and catching trains on time. This guide will walk you through the essential phrases and concepts you need to master telling time in German, ensuring you’re never late for your Kaffee und Kuchen.
Asking for the Time in German
Just like in English, there are a couple of common ways to ask for the time in German. Both are equally understood, but one might be slightly more formal than the other. Here are the key phrases:
- Wie viel Uhr ist es? – This is the most direct translation of “What time is it?” and is perfectly acceptable in most situations.
- Wie spät ist es? – This is another common way to ask “What time is it?” and is often considered slightly more colloquial.
To be polite, especially when asking a stranger, you can add “Excuse me” to the beginning of your question:
- Entschuldigung, wie viel Uhr ist es? – Excuse me, what time is it?
For a more formal or polite approach, or if you need to ensure the person is willing to help, you can use:
- Könnten Sie mir sagen, wie spät es ist? – Could you tell me what time it is? (Formal)
- Kannst du mir sagen, wie spät es ist? – Could you tell me what time it is? (Informal)
Often, even if you stumble over the pronunciation, Germans are helpful and might simply show you their watch or phone. But knowing how to understand when they tell you the time aloud is crucial, which brings us to our next point.
Telling Time in German: Hours and More
Telling time in German is structured around the phrase “Es ist…” which means “It is…”. You then simply add the hour.
- We use the verb “sein” (to be) as the foundation for telling time.
- The structure is “es ist…” (it is…).
Here’s how to express the full hours in German:
- It’s one o’clock. – Es ist ein Uhr.
- It’s two o’clock. – Es ist zwei Uhr.
- It’s three o’clock. – Es ist drei Uhr.
- It’s four o’clock. – Es ist vier Uhr.
- It’s five o’clock. – Es ist fünf Uhr.
- It’s six o’clock. – Es ist sechs Uhr.
- It’s seven o’clock. – Es ist sieben Uhr.
- It’s eight o’clock. – Es ist acht Uhr.
- It’s nine o’clock. – Es ist neun Uhr.
- It’s ten o’clock. – Es ist zehn Uhr.
- It’s eleven o’clock. – Es ist elf Uhr.
- It’s twelve o’clock. – Es ist zwölf Uhr.
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While spoken German often uses the 12-hour clock, written German, especially in schedules and timetables, commonly uses the 24-hour clock. Unlike English, German doesn’t use AM or PM. To specify the time of day, you’ll use these helpful words:
- morgens – in the morning (any time before noon). Example: Ich gehe morgens um acht Uhr in die Schule. (I go to school at eight o’clock in the morning.)
- nachmittags – in the afternoon (any time after noon). Example: Ich spiele um drei Uhr nachmittags Tennis. (I play tennis at three o’clock in the afternoon.)
- abends – in the evening (evening hours). Example: Ich gehe um sechs Uhr abends Eis essen. (I go for ice cream at six o’clock in the evening.)
- nachts – at night (night hours). Example: Ich gehe nachts um elf Uhr ins Bett. (I go to bed at eleven o’clock at night.)
- Mittag – midday/noon.
- Mitternacht – midnight.
Key Time-Related Words in German
Understanding these additional words will further enhance your grasp of time in German:
- um – This is equivalent to the English word “at” and is used to specify a particular time for an event. Example: “Wir treffen uns um vier Uhr” (We are meeting at four o’clock).
- wann? – This is the German word for “when?” and is used to ask about the time something will happen. Example: Wann essen wir Kuchen? — Um ein Uhr nachmittags. (When do we eat cake? — At one o’clock in the afternoon.)
German Time Zones: Central European Time
It’s also important to understand the time zone when discussing “what time in germany”. Germany operates on Central European Time (CET) during standard time, which is GMT+1. During daylight saving time, observed from late March to late October, Germany switches to Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is GMT+2.
Knowing this is especially useful when coordinating with people in Germany from different time zones or when setting up online meetings. Always clarify if the time mentioned is CET or CEST, especially during the transition periods.
Mastering how to ask and tell time in German is a fundamental step in your language journey and practical for anyone interacting with Germany. With these phrases and tips, you’ll be well-equipped to handle time-related conversations with confidence.
