A1 Expression Formal

ببخشید، ساعت چند است؟

bebakhshid, sâ'at chand ast?

Excuse me, what time is it?

Significado

A polite way to ask for the current time.

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Contexto cultural

In Iran, punctuality can be fluid in social settings, but asking the time is a very common way to initiate 'Ta'arof' or small talk. In Dari (Afghan Persian), the phrase is almost identical, but the pronunciation of 'Sa'at' might be more guttural. Tajik Persian uses the Cyrillic script, but the spoken phrase 'Бубахшед, соат чанд аст?' remains the same. In cities like Los Angeles (Tehrangeles), younger generations might mix English and Persian, saying 'Bebakhshid, time chande?'.

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The 'E' Shortcut

If you want to sound like a local immediately, say 'Sa'at chande?' instead of 'Sa'at chand ast?'.

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Add a Title

Always add 'Agha' (Sir) or 'Khanom' (Ma'am) after 'Bebakhshid' for extra politeness points.

Significado

A polite way to ask for the current time.

🎯

The 'E' Shortcut

If you want to sound like a local immediately, say 'Sa'at chande?' instead of 'Sa'at chand ast?'.

💬

Add a Title

Always add 'Agha' (Sir) or 'Khanom' (Ma'am) after 'Bebakhshid' for extra politeness points.

⚠️

Don't forget the 'Bebakhshid'

Asking 'Sa'at chand ast?' without 'Bebakhshid' to a stranger can sound demanding or rude.

Ponte a prueba

Complete the polite question.

ببخشید، ساعت ______ است؟

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: چند

'Chand' is used to ask 'how many' or 'what' in the context of time.

Which one is the most polite way to ask a stranger for the time?

Select the best option:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: ببخشید، ساعت چند است؟

This version includes the apology 'Bebakhshid' and the formal verb 'ast'.

Match the Persian word to its English meaning.

Match them up:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: a

These are the four components of the phrase.

Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.

A: ببخشید، ساعت چند است؟ B: ساعت ________ است.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: پنج

The answer to 'what time' must be a number like 'Panj' (five).

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Formal vs. Spoken

Formal (Written)
ساعت چند است؟ Sa'at chand ast?
Spoken (Tehrani)
ساعت چنده؟ Sa'at chande?

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Complete the polite question. Fill Blank A1

ببخشید، ساعت ______ است؟

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: چند

'Chand' is used to ask 'how many' or 'what' in the context of time.

Which one is the most polite way to ask a stranger for the time? Choose A1

Select the best option:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: ببخشید، ساعت چند است؟

This version includes the apology 'Bebakhshid' and the formal verb 'ast'.

Match the Persian word to its English meaning. Match A1

Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: a

These are the four components of the phrase.

Fill in the missing part of the dialogue. dialogue_completion A1

A: ببخشید، ساعت چند است؟ B: ساعت ________ است.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: پنج

The answer to 'what time' must be a number like 'Panj' (five).

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

14 preguntas

It is formal but safe. No one will be offended by it, though they might answer you in the informal 'e' form.

It's understandable but incomplete. It's like saying 'Excuse me, clock?'. Better to use the full phrase.

You can say 'Lotfan dobare beguyid' (Please say it again) or 'Yavash-tar' (Slower).

No, 'Aya' is for yes/no questions. For 'what/how many' questions, the question word 'Chand' is enough.

Just say 'Sa'at chande?' to friends.

Yes! 'Sa'at-e mochi' is a wristwatch, but usually, people just say 'Sa'at'.

It's the 'polite plural'. Even if you talk to one person, you use the plural form to show respect.

Yes, it is perfectly understood, though they might use different local variations for 'excuse me'.

'Sa'at' is the clock time. 'Vaght' is time in general (e.g., 'I don't have time').

You say 'Sa'at panj o nim ast'.

'Sa'at dari?' (Got the time?) is the most common casual/slang version.

In speech, 12-hour time is common. In official schedules (trains, TV), 24-hour time is used.

It literally means 'Forgive [me]'.

Usually, you wouldn't ask the time in an email, but you might use 'Bebakhshid' to apologize for a late reply.

Frases relacionadas

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ساعت چنده؟

informal

What's the time?

🔗

ساعت دارید؟

similar

Do you have the time?

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ساعتِ چند؟

specialized form

At what time?

🔗

وقت دارید؟

similar

Do you have a moment?

🔗

ساعتم خوابیده

builds on

My watch has stopped.

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