Meaning
To inquire about the specific hour of an event or action.
Cultural Background
In Iran, 'Che sa'ati?' is often met with a flexible answer. If someone says 'around 5', they might mean 5:30. This is part of a relaxed social attitude toward time known as 'Iranian time'. In Dari Persian, 'Chi waqt?' (What time/When?) is often used more frequently than 'Che sa'ati?', though both are understood. Tajik Persian (written in Cyrillic) uses 'Дар кадом соат?' (Dar kadom soat?) in formal contexts, but 'Соат чанд?' is common in speech. In professional Iranian settings, 'Che sa'ati' is used to demand precision and avoid the ambiguity of 'Key' (when). It signals a desire for a formal schedule.
Drop the Preposition
Don't worry about saying 'at' (dar). Just say 'Che sa'ati' and the verb. It's more natural.
The 'Inshallah' Factor
If someone answers your 'Che sa'ati?' with 'Inshallah ساعت پنج', be prepared for them to be 15-30 minutes late.
Meaning
To inquire about the specific hour of an event or action.
Drop the Preposition
Don't worry about saying 'at' (dar). Just say 'Che sa'ati' and the verb. It's more natural.
The 'Inshallah' Factor
If someone answers your 'Che sa'ati?' with 'Inshallah ساعت پنج', be prepared for them to be 15-30 minutes late.
Use for Appointments
When booking a hair appointment or a doctor's visit, always use 'Che sa'ati' to sound more precise.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank to ask 'What time is the party?'
مهمانی ___ ساعتی است؟
'Che sa'ati' is the standard phrase for 'at what time'.
Which sentence is used to ask for the CURRENT time?
Asking for the time right now:
'Sa'at chande?' or 'Sa'at chand ast?' are used for the current time, while 'Che sa'ati' is for events.
Complete the dialogue.
A: فردا بریم پارک؟ B: باشه، ___؟
After agreeing to a plan, the next logical question is 'What time?'.
Match the question to the situation.
Situation: You are at the train station.
Asking for the departure time is the most relevant use of the phrase here.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesمهمانی ___ ساعتی است؟
'Che sa'ati' is the standard phrase for 'at what time'.
Asking for the time right now:
'Sa'at chande?' or 'Sa'at chand ast?' are used for the current time, while 'Che sa'ati' is for events.
A: فردا بریم پارک؟ B: باشه، ___؟
After agreeing to a plan, the next logical question is 'What time?'.
Situation: You are at the train station.
Asking for the departure time is the most relevant use of the phrase here.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, 'Sa'at chand?' is very common and means the same thing in most contexts.
In speech, 'ast' is usually shortened to 'e' or dropped. 'Che sa'ati-e?' is common.
Answer with 'Sa'at-e' + [Number]. For example: 'Sa'at-e panj' (At five o'clock).
Yes. 'Che sa'ati rasidi?' means 'What time did you arrive?'.
'Key' is 'When' (general), 'Che sa'ati' is 'What time' (specific clock time).
It is neutral. It works in all situations.
No, for dates use 'Che roozi?' (What day?) or 'Key?' (When?).
Use 'Dar che sa'ati?'.
It can mean 'hour', 'clock', 'watch', or 'time' depending on the context.
It's an indefinite marker that helps turn the noun into an interrogative phrase.
Related Phrases
ساعت چند؟
synonymWhat time? (Literally: Hour how many?)
کِی؟
similarWhen?
چه مدتی؟
contrastFor how long?
در چه زمانی؟
specialized formAt what time/period?
