Lesson 7.2: Telling Time – From Sunrise to Aperitivo Hour

Lesson 7.2: Telling Time – From Sunrise to Aperitivo Hour ⏰ #

In Italy, time isn’t just a concept; it’s a lifestyle. From early morning espressos to leisurely dinners that stretch into the night, Italians have perfected the art of making every hour count. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to tell time like a pro (and maybe even impress Viktor at your next meetup).

What You’ll Learn #

By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to:

  • Tell time in Italian, including common phrases.
  • Use time expressions in sentences and conversations.
  • Navigate schedules and avoid awkwardly showing up late—or worse, early!

Italian Clock Basics #

In Italian, telling time revolves around the 24-hour clock for formal contexts but uses the 12-hour clock in casual settings.

Key Terms #

Italian English Pronunciation
Ora Hour OH-rah
Minuto Minute Mee-NOO-toh
Mezzogiorno Noon MEHT-tsoh-johr-noh
Mezzanotte Midnight MEHT-tzah-NOHT-teh
E mezza And a half Eh MEHT-tzah
Meno un quarto Quarter to MEH-noh OON KWAHR-toh

How to Tell Time #

Hours #

  • È l’una. (It’s one o’clock.)
  • Sono le tre. (It’s three o’clock.)

Minutes #

  • Add minutes with e:

    • Sono le due e dieci. (It’s 2:10.)

  • Subtract with meno:

    • Sono le tre meno cinque. (It’s five to three.)

Common Phrases #

  1. Che ora è? (What time is it?)

    • Response: Sono le sei. (It’s 6 o’clock.)

  2. A che ora? (At what time?)

    • Response: Alle sette. (At 7 o’clock.)

  3. È ora di… (It’s time to…)

    • Example: È ora di un caffè! (It’s time for a coffee!)

Example Dialogue #

Scenario: Geoff and Viktor are planning a trip to a vineyard.

  • Geoff: Che ora è? (What time is it?)
  • Viktor: Sono le undici e un quarto. (It’s 11:15.)
  • Geoff: Perfetto! A che ora partiamo? (Perfect! What time are we leaving?)
  • Viktor: Alle dodici e mezza. Ma prima, caffè! (At 12:30. But first, coffee!)

Practice Time #

Try these exercises:

  1. Write the Italian translation for these times:

    • 2:30 PM
    • 7:45 AM
    • 9:15 PM

  2. Use the phrase A che ora? to ask a friend about their schedule. Example:

    • A che ora inizia il film? (What time does the movie start?)

Quick Tips #

  1. Practice Regularly: Telling time gets easier with repetition.
  2. Be Flexible: Italians love being fashionably late. Use this to your advantage!
  3. Have Fun: Whether it’s lunchtime (mezzogiorno) or party time (mezzanotte), enjoy learning.

Ready for More? #

Test your skills with Exercise 7.2: Telling Time Practice.

✨ Bravo! You’re on your way to mastering the clock in Italian. Buona fortuna! 🌟