Bedeutung
Asking for the current time.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Punctuality is highly valued in business. If you ask 'Сколько времени?' and realize you are late, a sincere apology is expected. Public clocks on buildings were the primary way people checked the time before mobile phones. Asking 'Сколько времени?' was a way to verify your own watch against the 'official' time. Young Russians often use their phones to check the time, so asking a stranger is becoming less common but remains a standard polite interaction if needed. Russian literature often uses time as a symbol of fate. Characters frequently ask the time during pivotal moments of decision.
Politeness First
Always start with 'Извините' (Excuse me) when asking a stranger. It makes the interaction much smoother.
The Genitive Trap
Don't forget the 'и' at the end of 'времени'. Saying 'Сколько время' is a sign of a beginner or careless speaker.
Bedeutung
Asking for the current time.
Politeness First
Always start with 'Извините' (Excuse me) when asking a stranger. It makes the interaction much smoother.
The Genitive Trap
Don't forget the 'и' at the end of 'времени'. Saying 'Сколько время' is a sign of a beginner or careless speaker.
Digital vs Analog
Russians often use the 24-hour clock for schedules but the 12-hour clock in conversation. Be prepared for both!
The 'Which Hour' Alternative
If you want to sound like a 19th-century aristocrat, try 'Который час?'. It still works perfectly today!
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct form of the word 'time' to complete the question.
Извините, сколько сейчас _______?
After 'сколько', we must use the genitive singular form, which is 'времени'.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
A: ________? B: Сейчас ровно десять часов.
'Сколько времени' is the standard way to ask for the time in a neutral context.
Match the phrase to the correct level of formality.
1. Чё по времени? 2. Который час? 3. Сколько времени?
'Чё по времени' is slang, 'Который час' is formal, and 'Сколько времени' is neutral.
Fill in the missing word in this polite request.
Вы не _________ , сколько сейчас времени?
'Подскажете' (will you point out/tell) is the most common polite verb used in this context.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenИзвините, сколько сейчас _______?
After 'сколько', we must use the genitive singular form, which is 'времени'.
A: ________? B: Сейчас ровно десять часов.
'Сколько времени' is the standard way to ask for the time in a neutral context.
1. Чё по времени? 2. Который час? 3. Сколько времени?
'Чё по времени' is slang, 'Который час' is formal, and 'Сколько времени' is neutral.
Вы не _________ , сколько сейчас времени?
'Подскажете' (will you point out/tell) is the most common polite verb used in this context.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, in modern everyday Russian, 'Сколько времени?' is the most frequent way to ask for the time.
Because the word 'сколько' requires the genitive case, and 'времени' is the genitive form of 'время'.
It's very informal and a bit blunt. It's better to say 'Сколько времени?' or 'Время не подскажете?'.
You can say 'Сейчас [hour] часов [minutes] минут'. For example: 'Сейчас пять часов'.
Not at all! It's a very common social interaction in Russia, provided you are polite.
Use 'Во сколько?'. For example: 'Во сколько начинается фильм?'
No, 'времени' stays in the genitive singular in this specific phrase.
Say 'Сколько сейчас времени в Лондоне?'
A little bit, but it's still widely used and considered very 'correct' and elegant.
Yes, you can ask 'Сколько времени лететь?' (How much time to fly?)
Verwandte Redewendungen
Который час?
similarWhat hour is it?
Во сколько?
specialized formAt what time?
Пора
builds onIt's time
Времени в обрез
idiomVery little time left
Часики тикают
idiomThe clock is ticking
