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A2 noun 11 min read

die Viertelstunde

Examples die Viertelstunde in 30 Seconds
Explanation die Viertelstunde in your Level:
At the A1 level, learners encounter 'die Viertelstunde' as a basic vocabulary word for telling time. They learn that it means 15 minutes and is a feminine noun. Beginners use it in very simple sentences like 'Ich habe eine Viertelstunde Zeit' (I have 15 minutes of time) or 'Der Bus kommt in einer Viertelstunde' (The bus comes in 15 minutes). The focus at this stage is on the literal meaning and the correct use of the indefinite article 'eine' in the accusative and 'einer' in the dative after the preposition 'in'. It is often taught alongside 'Stunde' (hour) and 'Minute' (minute) to build a foundation for daily routines and basic scheduling. Learners are encouraged to recognize the word in train station announcements, which is a common real-world application for A1 students traveling in Germany. Understanding this word helps beginners navigate the highly scheduled nature of German public transport.
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At the A2 level, students expand their use of 'die Viertelstunde' to include more complex prepositions and social contexts. They learn to use 'seit einer Viertelstunde' (for 15 minutes) to describe ongoing actions, which requires understanding the dative case. A2 learners also start to differentiate between 'fünfzehn Minuten' and 'eine Viertelstunde', recognizing that the latter is a very common way to express a block of time. They might use it to describe their daily commute or to make simple appointments with friends. This level also introduces the plural 'Viertelstunden', though it is less common than the singular. Learners at this stage are expected to understand the word in the context of short stories or simple news reports about traffic and weather. They begin to see how the word functions as a building block for more complex time-related expressions.
By B1, learners are comfortable using 'die Viertelstunde' in a variety of grammatical structures. They can use it with adjectives, such as 'eine knappe Viertelstunde' (barely 15 minutes) or 'eine gute Viertelstunde' (a solid 15 minutes), to add nuance to their speech. At this level, students are also introduced to the cultural concept of the 'akademische Viertelstunde' (the academic quarter), which is essential for anyone planning to study at a German university. They learn the difference between 'c.t.' (cum tempore) and 's.t.' (sine tempore) and how this relates to the 15-minute grace period. B1 learners can also use the word in professional contexts, such as scheduling brief check-ins or describing work processes. Their understanding moves beyond just '15 minutes' to seeing it as a standard social and professional unit of time.
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At the B2 level, 'die Viertelstunde' is used fluently in complex discussions about time management and punctuality. Learners can discuss the psychological impact of time blocks and how 'Viertelstunden' are used in different industries, like billing cycles for lawyers or consultants. They understand regional variations in time-telling (like 'viertel acht' vs. 'viertel nach sieben') and how the noun 'Viertelstunde' relates to these structures. B2 students can also use the word in more abstract ways, such as in literary analysis or when discussing historical events where a specific 15-minute window was crucial. They are aware of the word's placement in the sentence for emphasis and can use it in the genitive case if necessary (e.g., 'während einer Viertelstunde'). Their vocabulary is enriched with related terms like 'viertelstündlich' (every 15 minutes).
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C1 learners use 'die Viertelstunde' with the precision of a native speaker. they are aware of the subtle connotations it carries in different registers. They can use it in formal reports, academic writing, and high-level business negotiations. At this level, learners might explore the etymological roots of the word and its connection to the history of mechanical clocks in Europe. They can participate in nuanced debates about 'German punctuality' and how the concept of the 'Viertelstunde' reflects societal values. C1 students are also adept at using the word in idiomatic expressions and can understand it even when spoken in fast, colloquial German or regional dialects. They recognize the word's role in creating rhythm in spoken narratives and can use it to build tension or provide precise detail in complex storytelling.
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At the C2 level, 'die Viertelstunde' is a tool for stylistic mastery. The learner understands every possible nuance, from the historical significance of the 'akademische Viertel' to the most obscure regional uses. They can use the word in creative writing to evoke specific atmospheres or to comment on the nature of time itself. C2 speakers are familiar with the word's appearance in classical German literature and can discuss its usage by authors like Goethe or Mann. They have a complete grasp of the word's morphology and can effortlessly switch between 'Viertelstunde', 'fünfzehn Minuten', and other time expressions to achieve a specific rhetorical effect. For a C2 learner, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a cultural symbol that they can manipulate with sophistication and ease, reflecting a deep immersion in the German language and culture.
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Examples

die Viertelstunde in 30 Seconds

  • A feminine noun meaning 'quarter of an hour' or 15 minutes.
  • Essential for telling time, scheduling, and understanding German punctuality.
  • Formed by combining 'Viertel' (quarter) and 'Stunde' (hour).
  • Used in the unique cultural context of the 'academic quarter' at universities.

The German noun die Viertelstunde is a fundamental unit of time measurement in German-speaking cultures, translating literally to 'the quarter-hour' or 'fifteen minutes'. It is a compound noun formed from 'das Viertel' (the quarter) and 'die Stunde' (the hour). In a culture often stereotyped for its precision and punctuality, understanding how a fifteen-minute block is perceived and communicated is essential for any learner. Unlike in some English contexts where one might simply say 'fifteen minutes', Germans frequently reach for this specific noun to define durations, intervals, and appointment windows. It represents a manageable chunk of time—long enough to accomplish a small task, but short enough to be considered a minor delay or a brief break.

Literal Meaning
A duration of exactly fifteen minutes, representing one-fourth of a sixty-minute hour.
Grammatical Gender
Feminine (die), following the gender of the headword 'Stunde'.
Common Usage
Used in scheduling, describing waiting times, and defining school or university periods.

In everyday life, you will encounter die Viertelstunde in transit announcements, doctor's offices, and social invitations. If a train is delayed by fifteen minutes, the display might show 'ca. 15 Min.', but the conductor will announce a delay of 'einer Viertelstunde'. This noun carries a weight of formal measurement that 'fünfzehn Minuten' sometimes lacks, though the two are often interchangeable. However, in the context of the 'akademische Viertelstunde' (the academic quarter), the term takes on a specific cultural meaning regarding the grace period allowed for professors and students to arrive at a lecture.

Der Bus kommt erst in einer Viertelstunde, also haben wir noch Zeit für einen schnellen Kaffee.

Historically, the division of the hour into quarters has been a standard in European horology since the Middle Ages. German clocks often chime every fifteen minutes (Viertelstundenschlag), reinforcing the mental compartmentalization of time into these specific units. When a German speaker says 'Ich bin in einer Viertelstunde da,' they are providing a specific, measurable promise. If they arrive in twenty minutes, they have exceeded the 'Viertelstunde' and are technically late, highlighting the cultural importance of this unit as a boundary of punctuality.

Furthermore, the word plays a role in regional variations of telling time. While 'viertel nach' (quarter past) and 'viertel vor' (quarter to) are standard, in Eastern and Southern Germany, people use 'viertel' and 'dreiviertel' followed by the next hour. For example, 'viertel drei' means 2:15. In these regions, the concept of the Viertelstunde is baked into the very syntax of telling the time, viewing the hour as a container that is being filled quarter by quarter.

In dieser Viertelstunde hat sich die gesamte Situation am Bahnhof dramatisch verändert.

Finally, consider the psychological aspect. A 'Viertelstunde' is often used to minimize the perceived length of a task. 'Das dauert nur eine Viertelstunde' (That only takes a quarter-hour) sounds more inviting and less daunting than 'Das dauert fünfzehn Minuten,' even though the duration is identical. It suggests a standard, recognizable block of time that fits neatly into a busy schedule.

Using die Viertelstunde correctly requires attention to its gender (feminine) and its role as a count noun. Because it is a feminine noun, it takes the articles 'die' (nominative/accusative), 'der' (genitive/dative), and 'einer' (indefinite dative). Most commonly, you will use it with prepositions of time such as 'in', 'vor', 'seit', or 'nach'.

With 'In' (Future/Duration)
'In einer Viertelstunde' (In a quarter of an hour). Note the dative case ending 'er' on 'ein'.
With 'Seit' (Duration starting in past)
'Seit einer Viertelstunde' (For a quarter of an hour). Used when an action is still ongoing.
Plural Usage
'Drei Viertelstunden' (Three quarter-hours / 45 minutes). Note: Germans usually just say 'fünfundvierzig Minuten' unless they specifically want to emphasize the 15-minute blocks.

When describing a duration, it often functions as an accusative object. For instance, 'Ich habe eine Viertelstunde gewartet' (I waited for a quarter of an hour). Here, 'eine Viertelstunde' is in the accusative case, which is standard for expressions of time duration without a preposition. If you add a preposition like 'in' or 'vor', it shifts to the dative case: 'Ich komme in einer Viertelstunde.'

Können Sie mir bitte eine Viertelstunde Ihrer Zeit schenken, um dieses Problem zu besprechen?

Another important construction is the use of adjectives with 'Viertelstunde'. You might hear 'eine gute Viertelstunde' or 'eine knappe Viertelstunde'. 'Eine gute Viertelstunde' means 'a solid fifteen minutes' or 'slightly more than fifteen minutes'. Conversely, 'eine knappe Viertelstunde' means 'just under fifteen minutes'. These qualifiers add nuance to the precision of German time-telling.

In terms of sentence placement, time expressions usually follow the verb in a standard SVO sentence but can be moved to the first position for emphasis (e.g., 'Eine Viertelstunde dauerte das Gespräch'). If moved to the front, the verb must remain in the second position: 'Eine Viertelstunde habe ich auf dich gewartet!'

Nach jeder Viertelstunde intensiver Arbeit mache ich eine kurze Dehnübung.

One should also be aware of the 'akademische Viertelstunde'. In a sentence: 'Die Vorlesung beginnt um 10 Uhr c.t., also haben wir noch eine Viertelstunde Zeit.' (The lecture starts at 10:00 c.t., so we still have a quarter-hour of time). The 'c.t.' stands for 'cum tempore', indicating the 15-minute delay is expected.

Jede Viertelstunde schlägt die Kirchturmuhr und erinnert die Bewohner an das Vergehen der Zeit.

The term die Viertelstunde is ubiquitous in German public life, particularly in environments governed by strict schedules. One of the most common places to hear it is at a **Bahnhof** (train station). Deutsche Bahn announcements frequently use it to describe delays or the time remaining until a connection arrives. For example: 'Der Regionalexpress nach Berlin hat voraussichtlich eine Viertelstunde Verspätung.' This phrasing is standard in the automated voices of the German rail system.

At the Doctor (Beim Arzt)
The receptionist might say: 'Nehmen Sie bitte noch eine Viertelstunde im Wartezimmer Platz.' This sets a clear expectation for the patient.
In Education (In der Schule/Uni)
Teachers use it to time exercises: 'Ihr habt für diese Aufgabe genau eine Viertelstunde Zeit.'
On the Radio (Im Radio)
Traffic reports often mention delays: 'Auf der A1 gibt es eine Viertelstunde Zeitverlust wegen einer Baustelle.'

In the workplace, die Viertelstunde is a standard unit for 'Micro-Meetings' or 'Stand-ups'. A manager might say, 'Lassen Sie uns eine Viertelstunde zusammensetzen, um die Prioritäten für heute zu klären.' It implies a focused, efficient meeting that won't derail the entire morning. It's also the standard interval for many parking meters in German cities, where you might pay for every started 'Viertelstunde'.

Die Nachrichtensendung gibt uns jede Viertelstunde ein Update zur aktuellen Wetterlage.

You will also hear it in social settings, particularly when someone is running late. A phone call starting with 'Du, ich brauche noch eine Viertelstunde' is a common way to signal a minor delay without causing too much social friction. It suggests that the person is almost there and only needs a small amount of extra time. In sports, particularly football (soccer), commentators might talk about the 'erste Viertelstunde' (the first 15 minutes) of a match as a crucial phase where teams feel each other out.

In literature and film, the term is often used to build suspense or emphasize a short but intense period. A 'Viertelstunde der Angst' (a quarter-hour of fear) is a common trope. In historical contexts, the 'Viertelstunde' was often the time it took for a specific ritual or a change of guard, further embedding it into the cultural fabric of time management.

In der letzten Viertelstunde vor Ladenschluss ist im Supermarkt meistens sehr viel los.

For English speakers, the most frequent mistake when using die Viertelstunde is confusing it with the simple fraction 'ein Viertel' (a quarter) or the word for a neighborhood 'das Viertel'. While they share a root, they are used differently. You cannot say 'Ich warte seit einem Viertel' to mean 15 minutes; you must use the full compound 'Viertelstunde'.

The Gender Trap
Mistake: 'In einem Viertelstunde'. Correction: 'In einer Viertelstunde'. Because 'Stunde' is feminine, the whole compound is feminine.
Viertel vs. Viertelstunde
'Viertel' is a fraction or a city district. 'Viertelstunde' is specifically 15 minutes of time.
Pluralization Mistakes
Saying 'zwei Viertelstunde'. Correct: 'zwei Viertelstunden'. The plural 'n' is necessary.

Another mistake involves the 'akademische Viertelstunde'. Learners often assume this applies to all meetings. In reality, it is strictly for university lectures. If you arrive 15 minutes late to a business meeting or a dinner date in Germany, it is considered very rude, regardless of the existence of the 'akademische Viertel'. This cultural nuance is vital for social success.

Falsch: Ich habe eine Viertel gewartet. Richtig: Ich habe eine Viertelstunde gewartet.

Confusing 'Viertelstunde' with 'Viertel vor/nach' is also common. 'Viertel vor' is a way to tell the time (e.g., 2:45), whereas 'Viertelstunde' is a duration of time. You cannot say 'Es ist Viertelstunde vor drei'. You must say 'Es ist Viertel vor drei'. The noun 'Viertelstunde' is for measuring the length of time, not for naming the point in time on a clock face.

Finally, avoid literal translations of 'a quarter of an hour'. While 'ein Viertel einer Stunde' is grammatically possible, it sounds extremely stiff and unnatural. Native speakers will almost always use the compound noun Viertelstunde. Similarly, don't say 'fünfzehn Minuten' if you want to sound more idiomatic in professional settings—'Viertelstunde' is often the preferred unit of measurement.

Achtung: 'Viertelstündlich' ist das Adjektiv, nicht 'Viertelstunde-ig'. Der Bus fährt viertelstündlich.

While die Viertelstunde is specific, there are several related terms that learners should know to vary their vocabulary and understand nuances in time-telling. The most obvious alternative is 'fünfzehn Minuten', which is perfectly correct but slightly more clinical or technical. In spoken German, the choice between the two often depends on rhythm and emphasis.

15 Minuten
The literal equivalent. Used more often in digital contexts or when counting down (e.g., 'Noch 15 Minuten bis zum Start').
Die Dreiviertelstunde
45 minutes. This is a very common compound in German (three-quarters of an hour), whereas English speakers usually say 'forty-five minutes'.
Die halbe Stunde
30 minutes. Like 'Viertelstunde', this is a single concept rather than just a number of minutes.
Der Augenblick / Der Moment
These mean 'a moment'. If someone says 'Einen Augenblick bitte', they usually mean much less than a Viertelstunde.

Comparing 'Viertelstunde' and 'fünfzehn Minuten' reveals a subtle difference in perception. A 'Viertelstunde' is a unit, whereas 'fünfzehn Minuten' is a collection of smaller units. If you want to sound like a native, use 'Viertelstunde' for appointments and 'Minuten' for precise countdowns or technical durations (like a recipe: '15 Minuten backen').

Vergleich: 'Eine Viertelstunde' klingt nach einem festen Zeitblock, während 'fünfzehn Minuten' eher die Dauer betont.

There is also the regional 'Viertel' (fraction) used in time-telling. In Berlin or Leipzig, 'viertel acht' means 7:15. This can be very confusing for learners who expect 'viertel nach sieben'. However, this 'viertel' is an adjective/adverb in that context, not the noun 'Viertelstunde'. Understanding this distinction helps you navigate different German dialects.

In professional settings, you might also hear 'ein Zeitfenster von 15 Minuten'. This is a more modern, 'business-German' way of saying they have a Viertelstunde available. However, for most everyday interactions, sticking to 'Viertelstunde' will make you sound natural and well-integrated into the language.

Anstatt '45 Minuten' zu sagen, verwenden Deutsche oft das Wort 'Dreiviertelstunde', was für Anfänger oft gewöhnungsbedürftig ist.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈfɪʁtl̩ˌʃtʊndə/
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Examples by Level

1

Ich habe eine Viertelstunde Zeit.

I have fifteen minutes of time.

Accusative case for 'eine Viertelstunde'.

2

Der Bus kommt in einer Viertelstunde.

The bus comes in fifteen minutes.

Dative case after 'in'.

3

Die Pause dauert eine Viertelstunde.

The break lasts fifteen minutes.

Duration expressed in accusative.

4

Warten Sie bitte eine Viertelstunde.

Please wait fifteen minutes.

Imperative sentence with accusative duration.

5

Das ist nur eine Viertelstunde von hier.

That is only fifteen minutes from here.

Used to describe distance in time.

6

Eine Viertelstunde hat 15 Minuten.

A quarter-hour has 15 minutes.

Simple definition sentence.

7

Ich trinke in einer Viertelstunde einen Tee.

I will drink a tea in fifteen minutes.

Future intent using present tense.

8

Jede Viertelstunde fährt ein Zug.

A train runs every fifteen minutes.

'Jede' agrees with the feminine noun.

1

Ich warte schon seit einer Viertelstunde auf dich.

I have been waiting for you for fifteen minutes.

'Seit' + dative indicates an action starting in the past.

2

Können wir uns in einer Viertelstunde treffen?

Can we meet in fifteen minutes?

Question format with 'in' + dative.

3

Die Fahrt zum Supermarkt dauert eine Viertelstunde.

The drive to the supermarket takes fifteen minutes.

Verb 'dauern' takes an accusative duration.

4

Er hat vor einer Viertelstunde angerufen.

He called fifteen minutes ago.

'Vor' + dative for past time points.

5

Wir machen alle zwei Viertelstunden eine Pause.

We take a break every two quarter-hours.

Plural 'Viertelstunden' used here.

6

Ich brauche noch eine Viertelstunde für die Hausaufgaben.

I still need fifteen minutes for the homework.

'Noch' indicates remaining time.

7

In einer Viertelstunde fängt der Film an.

The movie starts in fifteen minutes.

Inversion: Time expression at the start.

8

Sie hat eine Viertelstunde lang gelesen.

She read for fifteen minutes.

'Lang' reinforces the duration.

1

Die Besprechung dauerte eine gute Viertelstunde länger als geplant.

The meeting lasted a good fifteen minutes longer than planned.

'Gute' adds the meaning of 'slightly more'.

2

Wegen des Staus haben wir eine Viertelstunde verloren.

Because of the traffic jam, we lost fifteen minutes.

Genitive 'wegen' followed by a result.

3

Das akademische Viertel erlaubt eine Viertelstunde Verspätung.

The academic quarter allows a fifteen-minute delay.

Cultural term 'akademisches Viertel'.

4

Ich schaue mir nur noch eine Viertelstunde lang die Nachrichten an.

I'll only watch the news for another fifteen minutes.

Focus on limited duration.

5

In weniger als einer Viertelstunde sind wir am Ziel.

In less than fifteen minutes, we will be at our destination.

'Weniger als' + dative construction.

6

Geben Sie mir bitte eine Viertelstunde, um das Dokument zu prüfen.

Please give me fifteen minutes to check the document.

Professional request for time.

7

Die Uhr schlägt jede Viertelstunde.

The clock chimes every fifteen minutes.

Standard behavior of church clocks.

8

Nach einer Viertelstunde im Ofen ist der Kuchen fertig.

After fifteen minutes in the oven, the cake is ready.

'Nach' + dative for sequence.

1

Eine Viertelstunde konzentrierter Arbeit ist oft produktiver als eine Stunde Ablenkung.

A quarter-hour of concentrated work is often more productive than an hour of distraction.

Comparison of time blocks.

2

Wir sollten diese Viertelstunde nutzen, um die Details zu klären.

We should use this quarter-hour to clarify the details.

Demonstrative pronoun 'diese'.

3

Trotz der Viertelstunde Verspätung war der Chef nicht böse.

Despite the fifteen-minute delay, the boss wasn't angry.

'Trotz' + genitive (der Viertelstunde).

4

Es bleibt uns kaum eine Viertelstunde bis zum Abflug.

We have hardly fifteen minutes left until departure.

'Kaum' emphasizes scarcity.

5

Die erste Viertelstunde des Spiels war sehr ausgeglichen.

The first fifteen minutes of the game were very balanced.

Ordinal number 'erste' modifying the noun.

6

Er konnte die Viertelstunde der Stille sichtlich genießen.

He could visibly enjoy the quarter-hour of silence.

Genitive 'der Stille' modifying the time block.

7

In einer knappen Viertelstunde müssen wir los.

In just under fifteen minutes, we have to go.

'Knappen' indicates 'barely'.

8

Die Viertelstunde zwischen den Terminen nutzte sie zum Telefonieren.

She used the fifteen minutes between appointments to make calls.

Prepositional phrase 'zwischen den Terminen'.

1

Die akademische Viertelstunde ist ein Relikt aus einer Zeit, in der Uhren noch selten waren.

The academic quarter is a relic from a time when clocks were still rare.

Historical/Cultural explanation.

2

In jener schicksalhaften Viertelstunde entschied sich die Zukunft des Unternehmens.

In that fateful fifteen minutes, the future of the company was decided.

Elevated narrative style.

3

Es ist bemerkenswert, wie viel man in einer einzigen Viertelstunde erreichen kann.

It is remarkable how much one can achieve in a single quarter-hour.

Rhetorical observation.

4

Die viertelstündliche Taktung des Nahverkehrs ist ein großer Vorteil dieser Stadt.

The fifteen-minute frequency of local transport is a great advantage of this city.

Using the adjective 'viertelstündlich'.

5

Nach einer Viertelstunde des Zögerns unterschrieb er schließlich den Vertrag.

After fifteen minutes of hesitation, he finally signed the contract.

Genitive construction 'des Zögerns'.

6

Die Viertelstunde vor dem Auftritt ist für viele Künstler die schlimmste Zeit.

The fifteen minutes before the performance is the worst time for many artists.

Psychological description.

7

Man gewährte ihm eine Viertelstunde Bedenkzeit.

He was granted fifteen minutes to think it over.

Compound concept 'Bedenkzeit'.

8

Diese Viertelstunde Ruhm war alles, was er sich jemals gewünscht hatte.

This fifteen minutes of fame was everything he had ever wanted.

Idiomatic reference to Warhol's 15 minutes of fame.

1

Die Flüchtigkeit einer Viertelstunde wird oft unterschätzt, wenn man sie nicht bewusst erlebt.

The fleeting nature of a quarter-hour is often underestimated if one does not experience it consciously.

Philosophical abstraction.

2

In der Literatur dient die Viertelstunde oft als Zäsur zwischen zwei wichtigen Ereignissen.

In literature, the quarter-hour often serves as a caesura between two important events.

Literary terminology 'Zäsur'.

3

Das starre Festhalten an der akademischen Viertelstunde wird in modernen Fakultäten zunehmend debattiert.

The rigid adherence to the academic quarter is increasingly debated in modern faculties.

Complex nominalized phrase.

4

Eine Viertelstunde der Kontemplation kann den Geist klären wie kaum etwas anderes.

A quarter-hour of contemplation can clear the mind like almost nothing else.

High-register vocabulary 'Kontemplation'.

5

Die Präzision, mit der jede Viertelstunde dokumentiert wurde, zeugt von einer fast obsessiven Genauigkeit.

The precision with which every quarter-hour was documented testifies to an almost obsessive accuracy.

Relative clause with 'mit der'.

6

Sollte die Viertelstunde verstreichen, ohne dass eine Einigung erzielt wird, droht der Streik.

Should the quarter-hour pass without an agreement being reached, a strike looms.

Conditional subjunctive construction.

7

Jede verpasste Viertelstunde summiert sich am Ende des Tages zu einem erheblichen Zeitverlust.

Every missed quarter-hour adds up to a significant loss of time at the end of the day.

Complex verb 'summieren'.

8

Die Viertelstunde als Maßeinheit der bürgerlichen Pünktlichkeit ist tief im deutschen Bewusstsein verankert.

The quarter-hour as a unit of measurement for bourgeois punctuality is deeply anchored in the German consciousness.

Sociological analysis.

Common Collocations

eine gute Viertelstunde
eine knappe Viertelstunde
jede Viertelstunde
in einer Viertelstunde
seit einer Viertelstunde
akademische Viertelstunde
vor einer Viertelstunde
eine Viertelstunde lang
die erste Viertelstunde
alle Viertelstunde

Common Phrases

In einer Viertelstunde.

— In fifteen minutes.

Wann geht es los? In einer Viertelstunde.

Eine Viertelstunde zu spät.

— Fifteen minutes late.

Er kam eine Viertelstunde zu spät zum Termin.

Nur eine Viertelstunde.

— Only fifteen minutes.

Das dauert nur eine Viertelstunde, versprochen!

Eine Viertelstunde Bedenkzeit.

— Fifteen minutes to think.

Ich brauche eine Viertelstunde Bedenkzeit.

Die letzte Viertelstunde.

— The last fifteen minutes.

Die letzte Viertelstunde des Films war traurig.

Eine Viertelstunde entfernt.

— Fifteen minutes away.

Das Hotel ist eine Viertelstunde entfernt.

Pro Viertelstunde.

— Per fifteen minutes.

Das Parken kostet 2 Euro pro Viertelstunde.

In der nächsten Viertelstunde.

— In the next fifteen minutes.

Es wird in der nächsten Viertelstunde regnen.

Eine halbe Viertelstunde.

— Seven and a half minutes (rare/colloquial).

Gib mir eine halbe Viertelstunde.

Knapp eine Viertelstunde.

— Just under fifteen minutes.

Wir haben knapp eine Viertelstunde gebraucht.

Idioms & Expressions

"Das akademische Viertel"

— The traditional 15-minute grace period for university lectures.

In Deutschland ist das akademische Viertel an Unis üblich.

academic
"Sich eine Viertelstunde Zeit nehmen"

— To dedicate a small amount of focused time to someone.

Können Sie sich eine Viertelstunde Zeit für mich nehmen?

neutral
"Viertelstundenschlag"

— The chime of a clock every 15 minutes.

Der Viertelstundenschlag der Kirche nervt mich nachts.

neutral
"Eine Viertelstunde Ruhm"

— Short-lived fame (15 minutes of fame).

Jeder hat mal seine Viertelstunde Ruhm.

informal
"Auf die Viertelstunde genau"

— To be precise to the nearest 15 minutes.

Der Plan ist auf die Viertelstunde genau getaktet.

neutral
"Keine Viertelstunde länger"

— Not a single minute more (emphasizing a limit).

Ich bleibe keine Viertelstunde länger hier!

informal
"Die Viertelstunde der Wahrheit"

— A critical moment (similar to 'moment of truth').

Jetzt kommt die Viertelstunde der Wahrheit.

literary
"Viertelstündchen"

— A diminutive form used to make the time seem even shorter.

Ich mache nur ein Viertelstündchen Nickerchen.

informal
"Eine Viertelstunde vor Angst"

— Being very nervous just before an event.

Sie hatte eine Viertelstunde vor Angst vor der Prüfung.

informal
"In einer Viertelstunde ist alles vorbei"

— Reassurance that a difficult task will end soon.

Halte durch, in einer Viertelstunde ist alles vorbei.

neutral
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