Knowing how to ask for and tell time is a fundamental skill, especially when you’re navigating a different country. If you’re planning a trip to Germany, communicating with someone there, or simply curious about the current hour, understanding German time is essential. This guide will provide you with the key phrases and concepts you need to master “What Time Is In Germany”.
Asking “What Time is it?” in German: Essential Phrases
Just like in English, there are a couple of common ways to ask for the time in German. Here are the two most frequently used phrases:
- Wie viel Uhr ist es? – This is the most direct translation of “What time is it?” and is widely understood.
- Wie spät ist es? – This is another equally common way to ask for the time, literally translating to “How late is it?”.
To be polite, especially when asking a stranger, you can start with “Excuse me”:
- Entschuldigung, wie viel Uhr ist es? – Excuse me, what time is it?
For a slightly more formal or polite approach, or if you want to ensure the person is willing to help, you can use:
- Können Sie mir sagen, wie spät es ist? – Could you tell me what time it is? (Formal “you”)
- Kannst du mir sagen, wie spät es ist? – Could you tell me what time it is? (Informal “you”)
In many cases, simply asking in German will prompt someone to show you their watch or phone if they don’t immediately tell you the time verbally.
Telling Time in German: Hours and Minutes
When telling time in German, you’ll use the verb sein (to be) and the structure Es ist… (It is…). Here’s how to express the hours:
- 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.
German clock face showing hours
Germans commonly use the 12-hour clock in everyday conversation, which is considered informal. However, the 24-hour clock is frequently used in written schedules, train timetables, and official contexts. Unlike English, German doesn’t use AM or PM. To specify the time of day, you’ll use these terms:
- 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. Example: Ich gehe um sechs Uhr abends Eis essen. (I go to eat ice cream at six o’clock in the evening.)
- nachts – at night. Example: Ich gehe nachts um elf Uhr ins Bett. (I go to bed at eleven o’clock at night.)
Additionally, Mittag means midday/noon, and Mitternacht means midnight. When used to specify time, no article is needed.
Understanding Time Zones in Germany
Germany operates within the Central European Time (CET) zone during standard time, which is Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+1). During summer, Germany observes Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is UTC+2. Summer time typically runs from late March to late October.
To find out the current time in Germany, you need to consider whether it’s summer or standard time. Online time zone converters are readily available and the easiest way to check the precise “what time is it in Germany” right now. Keep in mind that Germany is ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or UTC by one or two hours, depending on the season.
Key German Time Vocabulary
- um – This is equivalent to the English word “at” and is used to specify the exact time something happens. Example: “Wir treffen uns um vier Uhr” (We are meeting at four o’clock).
- wann? – This is the word used to ask “when?”. Example: Wann essen wir Kuchen? — Um ein Uhr nachmittags. (When do we eat cake? — At one o’clock in the afternoon.)
By understanding these phrases and time concepts, you’ll be well-equipped to ask for and understand the time in Germany, making your interactions and time management much smoother.
