German uses precise clock readings and conversational expressions. For appointments or travel, a clear twenty-four-hour time can prevent confusion.
The idea
Use um to say when an event starts: um neun Uhr. Halb neun means half past eight (08:30 or 20:30, depending on context), not half past nine. Viertel nach acht is quarter past eight; Viertel vor neun is quarter to nine. Regional quarter-hour expressions vary. For timetables or appointments, use a twenty-four-hour time when you need to avoid ambiguity.
| Uhrzeit | Beispiel |
|---|---|
| 08:15 | Viertel nach acht |
| 08:30 | halb neun |
| 08:45 | Viertel vor neun |
| 18:30 | achtzehn Uhr dreißig |
Once you can tell the time, show whether it feels early or late: German schon, erst and noch: already, only and still
Read opening-hours signs, distinguish closing time from last entry, and check a lunch break before visiting. Wir öffnen um neun Uhr. — We open at nine. Reading German opening hours
Examples
- Es ist acht Uhr.
- Der Zug fährt um acht Uhr zehn.
- Es ist halb neun.
- Wir treffen uns um Viertel nach acht.
- Es ist zehn vor neun.
- Der Kurs beginnt um achtzehn Uhr dreißig.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic German voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No German device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Do not interpret halb neun as half past nine. It points toward the next hour. Ask for confirmation if a regional expression is unfamiliar.
Try it yourself
08:30 = halb ___
Show answer or example answer
neun
08:30 is halfway toward nine: halb neun.
Der Kurs beginnt ___ neun Uhr.
Show answer or example answer
um
Use um before a clock time for an event.
18:30 = ___ Uhr dreißig
Show answer or example answer
achtzehn
18:30 is achtzehn Uhr dreißig in the twenty-four-hour system.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
08:30 = halb ___
Der Kurs beginnt ___ neun Uhr.
18:30 = ___ Uhr dreißig
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results in your account and carry on with the story in the game.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Say a meeting time both as a precise clock reading and as a conversational expression. Then write the digits to check that both match.