about time

nicole r.A2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

about time

hi,

I was wondering what is the easiest way to know when something is in the 12 hour clock or when something is in the 24 hour clock? This seems to be my most problem in this section of understanding.

thanks

nicole

Asked 1 year ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

That's easy, actually. The 12-hour clock is a colloquial version of telling time. If it isn't already clear from the context, you add du matin, de l'après-midi or du soir to the time to make sure whether you're talking about 6 am or 6 pm. Also, you don't usually specify time down to the last minute colloquially, rounding off to the nearest quarter hour or the nearest 5 minutes. Phrases such as moins le quart or et quart, et demi, etc. also belong to the 12-hour clock.

The appropriate lesson for this is here: Telling time in French - general 12-hour clock rules

nicole r. asked:

about time

hi,

I was wondering what is the easiest way to know when something is in the 12 hour clock or when something is in the 24 hour clock? This seems to be my most problem in this section of understanding.

thanks

nicole

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Clever stuff happening!