Meaning
Used to state the current time.
Cultural Background
The 24-hour clock is used for everything official. If you see '18h30' on an invitation, it means 6:30 PM. In Quebec, people often use the 12-hour clock in conversation more frequently than in France, but official documents still use 24-hour time. In some French-speaking parts of Switzerland, you might hear 'huit heuresante' for 80, but time-telling remains standard 'Il est...'. Belgians use 'septante' and 'nonante', so 7:00 PM might be 'dix-sept heures' or 'sept heures du soir', but they follow the same 'Il est' structure.
The Liaison Rule
When saying 'deux heures' or 'trois heures', the 'x' or 's' sounds like a 'z' because it connects to the vowel in 'heures'.
Avoid 'Douze'
Never say 'douze heures' for 12:00. Use 'midi' or 'minuit' to sound natural.
Meaning
Used to state the current time.
The Liaison Rule
When saying 'deux heures' or 'trois heures', the 'x' or 's' sounds like a 'z' because it connects to the vowel in 'heures'.
Avoid 'Douze'
Never say 'douze heures' for 12:00. Use 'midi' or 'minuit' to sound natural.
24-Hour Mastery
To quickly convert 24-hour time to 12-hour time, subtract 12 from any number higher than 12 (e.g., 17 - 12 = 5 PM).
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'heure' or 'heures'.
Il est une ____.
Since the number is 'une' (one), the noun must be singular.
Which is the correct way to say 12:00 PM?
Il est...
'Midi' is the standard term for noon.
Match the digital time with the French expression.
Match the following:
These are the standard fractional time expressions.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Quelle heure est-il ? B: Il ____ trois heures.
The impersonal 'Il' always takes the third-person singular 'est'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIl est une ____.
Since the number is 'une' (one), the noun must be singular.
Il est...
'Midi' is the standard term for noon.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the standard fractional time expressions.
A: Quelle heure est-il ? B: Il ____ trois heures.
The impersonal 'Il' always takes the third-person singular 'est'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsIn French, 'Il est' is the formal impersonal subject used for time, weather, and distance. 'C'est' is used for identifying things or people.
Only if it's not obvious from the context. If you're at dinner, 'huit heures' clearly means PM.
No, it is singular for 'une heure' (1:00).
You say 'Il est midi et demi'. Note that 'demi' is masculine here because it agrees with 'midi'.
Related Phrases
À quelle heure ?
similarAt what time?
Il est temps
similarIt is time (to do something)
Prendre son heure
specialized formTo take one's time
L'heure de pointe
specialized formRush hour
