Es ist 3 Uhr — Die Uhrzeit sagen
für volle Stunden undam/pm" für die Tageszeit.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'o'clock' only for exact hours with no minutes. Start your sentence with 'It's' to sound natural.
- Use 'o'clock' only for whole hours like 1:00 or 5:00. Example: 'It's 4 o'clock.'
- Never use 'o'clock' if there are minutes. Example: Say 'It's 4:30', not 'It's 4:30 o'clock.'
- Use 'It is' or 'It's' as the subject and verb. Example: 'It's 9 o'clock.'
Overview
military time genannt) fast ausschließlich dem Militär, der Luftfahrt oder sehr formellen Fahrplänen vorbehalten.o'clock nicht so oft benutzen solltest, wie du denkst, und wie du die typischen Stolperfallen vermeidest, die uns Deutschen aufgrund unserer Muttersprache oft passieren.am und pm.am(ante meridiem): Das bedeutet „vor dem Mittag“. Es umfasst alles von Mitternacht (12:00 am) bis eine Minute vor Mittag (11:59 am). Denk es dir als die Zeit, in der man normalerweise frühstückt oder zur Arbeit geht.pm(post meridiem): Das bedeutet „nach dem Mittag“. Dieser Zeitraum startet punkt Mittag (12:00 pm) und geht bis eine Minute vor Mitternacht (11:59 pm). Das ist die Zeit für das Mittagessen, den Feierabend und das Schlafengehen.
2 pm (Zahl + Kürzel). Das Wort o'clock ist ein Überbleibsel aus der Geschichte und eine Abkürzung für of the clock.It is three o'clock. Das It ist hier das Subjekt, das im Englischen niemals fehlen darf – im Gegensatz zum Deutschen, wo wir manchmal das Subjekt weglassen könnten (obwohl wir es hier meistens auch benutzen).it eingeleitet wird.o'clocko'clock nur, wenn die Uhr genau auf der vollen Stunde steht. Sobald auch nur eine Minute vergangen ist, verschwindet dieses Wort.- Muster:
[Zahl] o'clock
01:00 | one o'clock |08:00 | eight o'clock |12:00 | twelve o'clock (aber besser: noon oder midnight) |o'clock niemals mit am oder pm. Du sagst entweder eight o'clock oder 8 am. Beides zusammen klingt für Muttersprachler doppelt gemoppelt und unnatürlich.- Muster:
[Stundenzahl] [Minutenzahl]
oh aus. Das klingt flüssiger als zero.4:20 | four twenty |10:15 | ten fifteen |2:05 | two oh five |6:08 | six oh eight |11:50 | eleven fifty |am und pmam= Morgens / Vormittagspm= Nachmittags / Abends / Nachts
07:30 | Frühstück | seven thirty am |19:30 | Abendessen | seven thirty pm |12:00 | Mittagspause | noon (oder twelve pm) |00:00 | Geisterstunde | midnight (oder twelve am) |atat.- Beispiel:
The meeting is at nine am.(Das Meeting ist um 9 Uhr morgens.) - Beispiel:
I'll see you at eight pm.(Wir sehen uns um 20 Uhr.)
- Im Büro (The Office): Hier ist Präzision gefragt. Termine werden fast immer mit
amoderpmangegeben. - „Our call is at ten thirty am.“
- „Let's have a coffee at four pm.“
- Auf Reisen (Traveling): Achte auf Durchsagen am Flughafen oder Bahnhof. Auch wenn Fahrpläne oft die 24-Stunden-Uhr nutzen, wird das Personal am Infoschalter meistens im 12-Stunden-Format sprechen.
- „The train leaves at six oh five pm.“ (Der Zug fährt um 18:05 Uhr.)
- Soziale Kontakte (Socializing): Wenn du dich im Pub oder am Stammtisch verabredest, ist die Zeitangabe oft informeller, aber immer noch im 12-Stunden-System.
- „See you at the bar at eight o'clock!“ (In diesem Kontext ist klar, dass 20 Uhr gemeint ist, also lässt man
pmoft weg.) - Termine vereinbaren (Appointments): Egal ob beim Arzt oder bei der Wohnungssuche.
- „Is the viewing at two fifteen pm?“ (Ist die Besichtigung um 14:15 Uhr?)
- Falsch:
It is fifteen o'clock. - Richtig:
It is three pm.oderIt is three o'clock. - Warum dieser Fehler passiert: L1-Interferenz. Wir nehmen das deutsche 24-Stunden-Konzept und wenden es auf das englische Wort
o'clockan. Merk dir:o'clockist ein exklusiver Club, in dem nur die Zahlen 1 bis 12 Mitglied sind.
o'clock hinten an.- Falsch:
It's three ten o'clock. - Richtig:
It's three ten. - Warum dieser Fehler passiert: Wir wollen das deutsche Wort „Uhr“ übersetzen. Aber im Englischen ist
o'clockein Marker für die *Punktlandung* auf der Stunde. Minuten vertragen sich nicht mito'clock.
- Deutsch „Halb drei“ =
Two thirty(2:30) - Englisch „Half three“ =
Three thirty(3:30) - Lösung: Um sicherzugehen, nutze als A0-Lerner immer die digitale Methode:
two thirtyoderthree thirty. Das ist unmissverständlich.
at vor der Uhrzeit abgehackt und unvollständig.- Falsch:
The movie is seven pm. - Richtig:
The movie is at seven pm.
It's eight o'clock. | It's + Zahl + o'clock |It's two pm. | Niemals fourteen sagen! |It's eight oh five. | Die Null wird als oh gesprochen. |At ten am. | at entspricht dem deutschen „um“. |Midnight | Ein eigenes Wort für Klarheit. |four fifteen | a quarter past four | Viertel nach vier |four thirty | half past four | Halb fünf (Vorsicht!) |four forty-five | a quarter to five | Viertel vor fünf |four ten | ten past four | Zehn nach vier |am oder pm sagen?12 am oder 12 pm?12 pm. Aber um absolut sicherzugehen, sagen fast alle einfach noon (Mittag) oder midday. Für Mitternacht sagst du einfach midnight. Das ist die sicherste Variante.o'clock formell oder informell?Let's meet at eight.at für Termine, trenne den Tag in am und pm und bleib für den Anfang bei der digitalen Methode (Stunde + Minute).Telling the Time with 'To Be'
| Subject | Verb | Number | Phrase |
|---|---|---|---|
|
It
|
is
|
1
|
o'clock
|
|
It
|
is
|
2
|
o'clock
|
|
It
|
is
|
3
|
o'clock
|
|
It
|
is
|
4
|
o'clock
|
|
It
|
is
|
5
|
o'clock
|
|
It
|
is
|
6
|
o'clock
|
|
It
|
is
|
7
|
o'clock
|
|
It
|
is
|
8
|
o'clock
|
|
It
|
is
|
9
|
o'clock
|
|
It
|
is
|
10
|
o'clock
|
Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
It is 1 o'clock
|
It's 1 o'clock
|
Common in speech
|
|
It is not 1 o'clock
|
It isn't 1 o'clock
|
Common in speech
|
|
It is not 1 o'clock
|
It's not 1 o'clock
|
Alternative contraction
|
Meanings
The phrase 'o'clock' is used to indicate that the time is exactly at the start of a specific hour, with zero minutes passed.
Exact Hourly Time
Used to state the current time when the minute hand is exactly on the twelve.
“It's 6 o'clock.”
“Is it 3 o'clock?”
Scheduled Events
Used to describe when a specific event starts or ends if it happens on the hour.
“The class is at 9 o'clock.”
“The store opens at 8 o'clock.”
Emphasis on Precision
Used with 'sharp' or 'exactly' to emphasize that an event must happen at that specific moment.
“Be there at 5 o'clock sharp!”
“It is exactly 12 o'clock.”
Reference Table
| Uhrzeit | Aussprache | Bedeutung | Beispiel |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1:00
|
One o'clock
|
Genau ein Uhr
|
The meeting is at `one o'clock`.
|
|
5:00 am
|
Five am
|
Früher Morgen
|
I wake up at `five am`.
|
|
5:00 pm
|
Five pm
|
Nachmittag/Abend
|
Dinner is at `five pm`.
|
|
2:15
|
Two fifteen
|
Zwei Uhr fünfzehn
|
My class starts at `two fifteen`.
|
|
7:30
|
Seven thirty
|
Sieben Uhr dreißig
|
Let's meet at `seven thirty`.
|
|
10:05
|
Ten oh five
|
Zehn Uhr fünf
|
The bus arrives at `ten oh five`.
|
|
12:00 am
|
Midnight
|
Mitten in der Nacht
|
The store closes at `midnight`.
|
|
12:00 pm
|
Noon
|
Mitten am Tag
|
Lunch is at `noon`.
|
Formalitätsspektrum
The meeting shall commence at five o'clock. (Meeting someone)
It's 5 o'clock. (Meeting someone)
See ya at 5. (Meeting someone)
Catch you at 5 bells. (Meeting someone)
Uhrzeiten auf Englisch sagen
Volle Stunden
- 3:00 Three o'clock
- 7:00 Seven o'clock
Mit Minuten
- 4:15 Four fifteen
- 6:30 Six thirty
AM / PM
- Morgen AM (z.B. 8 AM)
- Abend/Nacht PM (z.B. 8 PM)
Besondere Zeiten
- 12:00 AM Midnight
- 12:00 PM Noon
12-Stunden vs. 24-Stunden System
So sagst du die Uhrzeit
Ist es eine volle Stunde (z.B. 1:00, 5:00)?
Musst du Morgen/Abend unterscheiden?
Zeit-Ausdrücke
Volle Stunden
- • One o'clock
- • Six o'clock
- • Ten o'clock
Mit Minuten
- • Two fifteen
- • Four thirty
- • Seven oh five
Morgen/Nacht
- • Seven am
- • Nine pm
- • Eleven am
Spezialbegriffe
- • Noon
- • Midnight
Beispiele nach Niveau
It is 1 o'clock.
It is 1:00.
It's 2 o'clock.
It is 2:00.
It is 12 o'clock.
It is 12:00.
Is it 5 o'clock?
Is it 5:00?
It isn't 4 o'clock yet.
It is not 4:00 yet.
The bus comes at 8 o'clock.
The bus arrives at 8:00.
Is it exactly 9 o'clock?
Is it exactly 9:00?
We have tea at 4 o'clock.
We drink tea at 4:00.
The movie starts at 7 o'clock sharp.
The movie starts exactly at 7:00.
I thought it was 6 o'clock already.
I believed it was 6:00.
Can we meet at 10 o'clock tomorrow?
Is 10:00 tomorrow okay?
It was nearly 11 o'clock when he left.
It was almost 11:00.
The deadline is 5 o'clock this afternoon.
The deadline is 5:00 PM.
By 12 o'clock, the sun was high in the sky.
At noon, the sun was high.
I'll be there by 8 o'clock, provided the train is on time.
I will arrive by 8:00.
Is the appointment at 2 o'clock or 3 o'clock?
Which hour is the appointment?
The clock struck 12 o'clock, signaling the end of the year.
It became midnight.
He insisted on meeting at 6 o'clock, despite the early hour.
He wanted to meet at 6:00.
Should the meeting conclude by 4 o'clock, we can catch the early train.
If we finish by 4:00...
The bells chime every hour, most loudly at 12 o'clock.
The bells ring at noon/midnight.
The shift from the sundial to the mechanical 'o'clock' revolutionized labor.
The change in time-telling changed work.
At the stroke of 9 o'clock, the stock market opened with a frenzy.
Exactly at 9:00, trading began.
One might argue that 'o'clock' is becoming a vestigial phrase in the digital age.
People might say the phrase is dying out.
The curfew was strictly enforced from 10 o'clock onwards.
The curfew started at 10:00.
Leicht verwechselbar
Learners say 'It's 3 hours' instead of 'It's 3 o'clock'.
Learners use both at the same time.
Using '12 o'clock' can be confusing—is it day or night?
Häufige Fehler
It's 3:30 o'clock.
It's 3:30.
It's 3 oclock.
It's 3 o'clock.
Is 3 o'clock.
It's 3 o'clock.
It's 13 o'clock.
It's 1 o'clock.
At 5 o'clock AM.
At 5 AM / At 5 o'clock.
It's 5 of clock.
It's 5 o'clock.
The meeting is 5 o'clock.
The meeting is at 5 o'clock.
It's 12 o'clock in the night.
It's midnight / It's 12 o'clock.
I'll arrive at 14 o'clock.
I'll arrive at 2 o'clock.
The clock struck 5:00 o'clock.
The clock struck 5.
Satzmuster
It's ___ o'clock.
Is it ___ o'clock yet?
The ___ is at ___ o'clock.
I'll be there at ___ o'clock sharp.
Real World Usage
Meet at 6 o'clock?
I can be here at 9 o'clock tomorrow.
The next train is at 11 o'clock.
Math class is at 1 o'clock.
Your appointment is at 4 o'clock sharp.
Live stream starts at 8 o'clock!
Übe mit deinem Alltag
I wake up at seven am.Das macht die Phrasen zu einem Teil von dir.
Kein 'o'clock' bei Minuten
, sondern einfach: It is seven fifteen."Nutze 'oh' für die Null
It is two oh five.
Das 12-Stunden-System ist Standard
Der Kontext hilft dir
It is three thirty.
Smart Tips
Write the number as a word instead of a digit.
Just say the number and skip 'o'clock' entirely.
Add the word 'exactly' before the number.
Look at the minute hand. If it's not at the very top, don't use it.
Aussprache
The 'o' sound
The 'o' in o'clock is a very short 'schwa' sound /ə/.
Linking
The 's' in 'It's' links to the number. 'It's-eight o'clock'.
Falling intonation
It's four o'clock. ↘
A standard statement of fact.
Rising intonation
Is it four o'clock? ↗
Asking a question.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
O'clock is for the 'O' on the clock—the zero minutes!
Visuelle Assoziation
Imagine a big wall clock where the minute hand is a giant 'O' pointing straight up at the 12. This 'O' stands for O'clock.
Rhyme
When the hand is at the top, 'o'clock' is where you stop.
Story
A king named Hour only liked whole numbers. He would only eat at 1 o'clock, 2 o'clock, and 3 o'clock. If a servant brought food at 1:05, the king said, 'That is not an o'clock time!'
Word Web
Herausforderung
Look at a clock every hour today. When the minute hand hits 12, say the time out loud: 'It's [Number] o'clock!'
Kulturelle Hinweise
In the UK, people often say 'five o'clock' for tea time, which is a traditional light meal.
Americans use 'o'clock' frequently but will often just say the number (e.g., 'It's five') in casual conversation.
In international business, people often use the 24-hour clock to avoid confusion between time zones, so 'o'clock' is used less often than '14:00'.
The phrase is a contraction of the Middle English 'of the clokke'.
Gesprächseinstiege
What time do you wake up?
What time does your favorite show start?
When is our meeting tomorrow?
If the party starts at 8 o'clock, what time will you arrive?
Tagebuch-Impulse
Häufige Fehler
Test Yourself
The class starts at nine _____.
O'clock wird für punktgenaue volle Stunden verwendet.Find and fix the mistake:
The party begins at seven o'clock pm.
o'clock mit am oder pm. Entscheide dich für eins von beidem.Wähle den richtigen Satz:
Am oder pm kommt ganz am Ende.Übersetze auf Englisch: 'Es ist vier Uhr zehn am Nachmittag.'
Answer starts with: ["I...
pm für den Nachmittag dran.Score: /4
Ubungsaufgaben
8 exercisesChoose the correct time phrase:
It is 7 ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
It is 5:15 o'clock.
o'clock / is / it / 9
1:00
Pick the correct question:
It ___ 10 o'clock.
Choose the formal way to say 8:00:
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesWe usually have lunch at one _____.
The movie starts at seven o'clock fifteen.
Wähle den richtigen Satz:
Übersetze: 'Die Bank öffnet um neun Uhr morgens.'
Bringe die Wörter in die richtige Reihenfolge:
Verbinde die digitale Zeit mit der gesprochenen Form:
The show starts at eight forty-five _____.
I have to leave at fifteen hundred.
Wähle den natürlichsten Satz:
Übersetze: 'Ich muss um Mitternacht zu Hause sein.'
Bringe die Wörter in Ordnung:
Verbinde den Begriff mit seiner Bedeutung:
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
No, you should not. We don't say `15 o'clock`. Use numbers 1-12 only.
It is always `o'clock` with an apostrophe. The apostrophe shows that letters (f, t, h, e) are missing from 'of the'.
No. In casual conversation, you can just say `It's five`. `O'clock` is used for clarity or emphasis.
You can say `12 o'clock`, but it's better to say `noon` (day) or `midnight` (night).
It's grammatically okay, but native speakers find it redundant. Just say `5 AM` or `5 o'clock`.
It is neutral. You can use it in a business meeting or with your family.
It's an old way of saying 'of the'. So '7 o'clock' means '7 of the clock'.
Never. `O'clock` is strictly for zero minutes.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
en punto
Spanish uses a plural verb ('son') for hours, English uses singular ('it is').
pile / heures
French requires the word for 'hours' every time.
Uhr
German uses 'Uhr' even when minutes are included (e.g., 'drei Uhr fünf').
時 (ji)
Japanese uses a suffix (counter) rather than a separate phrase.
تماماً (tamaman)
Arabic uses an adjective for 'exactly' rather than a clock-specific phrase.
点 (diǎn)
Chinese uses 'point' as the measure word for hours.
