Die Uhrzeit im Alltag — Everyday Time
In conversation, Germans don't say '14:30 Uhr'. They say 'halb drei' (half past two — literally 'half three', meaning half an hour BEFORE three). This is the trickiest part of German time.
DeutschEnglish
Viertel nach [X]
Quarter past [X] — e.g. Viertel nach zwei = 2:15
halb [X+1]
Half past [X] — e.g. halb drei = 2:30 (half of the way to three!)
Viertel vor [X]
Quarter to [X] — e.g. Viertel vor vier = 3:45
kurz nach [X]
Just after [X] — e.g. kurz nach fünf = just after 5
kurz vor [X]
Just before [X] — e.g. kurz vor acht = just before 8
pünktlich
on time / exactly
⚠️ 'halb drei' = 2:30, NOT 3:30! Germans count 'half of the way to three' rather than 'half past two'. This trips up nearly every English speaker. Memorise it actively.
Wir treffen unsum halb sechs.
ENWe're meeting at half past five (5:30pm).
Es istViertel vor neun.
ENIt is quarter to nine (8:45).
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