Talking about time in Italian can feel like a whole new world if you're used to English! When my students dive into learning Italian, one of the first things they ask is, "How do I tell the time?" It might seem straightforward, but there are some interesting twists that can throw you off!

In Italian, you're actually asking about the hour rather than just "time." That's why you might hear people say:

• Che ora è? (What time is it? Literally, "What hour is it?")

• Che ore sono? (What time is it? Literally, "What hours are they?")

Both are perfectly correct, so feel free to use either!

Want to Ask “At What Time?”

When you're trying to find out “at what time” something happens, you use the singular form: A che ora vai a scuola? (At what time do you go to school?) Simple and to the point!

Singular or Plural? Here’s When It Matters

The choice between singular or plural forms depends on the hour:

• You use the singular è for 1 o'clock (whether it's AM or PM), as well as mezzogiorno (midday) or mezzanotte (midnight). For example:

  • È l'una del pomeriggio. (It’s 1 in the afternoon.)

  • È mezzanotte. (It’s midnight.)

• For all the other hours, the plural sono is your go-to:

  • Sono le cinque del pomeriggio. (It’s 5 in the afternoon.)

  • Sono le ventuno. (It’s 9 PM—yes, Italians often use the 24-hour clock in formal contexts, which can be a fun challenge!)

Talking About Minutes? It’s Easier Than You Think

When it comes to minutes, it’s pretty intuitive. Just add them right after the hour:

• Sono le cinque e dieci. (It’s 5:10.)

• Sono le sei meno un quarto. (It’s 5:45—literally, “It’s 6 minus a quarter.”)

Like in English, you can choose to say it differently. Both Sono le undici e cinquanta (It’s 11:50) and Sono le dodici meno dieci (It’s 10 to 12) work just fine!