Telling Time
In Modern Standard Arabic, time is expressed as 'The [Ordinal Number] Hour.' For example, 3:00 is 'The Third Hour' (الساعة الثالثة). To ask the time, use the phrase: كم الساعة؟ (Kam al-sā'a?).
How It Works
To tell the time in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), follow these rules:
- The Base Pattern: Use the definite noun الساعة (the hour) followed by a definite feminine ordinal number. Both the noun and the ordinal adjective must have the definite article. The term الساعة الثالثة means 'three o'clock'; you may add تماماً (exactly/sharp) for emphasis.
- The 1:00 Exception: Instead of the ordinal 'first', MSA uses the feminine cardinal number الواحدة.
- Case and Prepositions: When stating the time as a subject, الساعة is in the nominative case. To say 'at' a certain time, use the preposition في, which puts the noun in the genitive case (e.g., في الساعةِ الثانيةِ).
- Minutes Past the Hour: Use the conjunction و (and). Common fractions include الربع (quarter), الثلث (third/20 minutes), and النصف (half).
- Counting Minutes: Minutes are typically expressed using indefinite cardinal numbers. For 1 minute past, use ودقيقة. For 2 minutes past, use the dual form (ودقيقتان). For 3–10 minutes, use the masculine cardinal number due to gender polarity (e.g., خمس دقائق). For 11–59 minutes, the noun 'minute' must be in the singular accusative form (e.g., خمس عشرة دقيقة).
- Minutes To the Hour: Use the particle إلا (except). The formal standard uses the indefinite accusative case for the fraction (e.g., إلا ربعاً).
- Compound Hours: For 11:00 and 12:00, use the compound forms الحادية عشرة and الثانية عشرة. These are fixed with a fatha on both parts. While a 24-hour clock exists in formal military or transport contexts, the 12-hour clock is standard for speech.
- Time of Day: To specify AM or PM, add صباحاً (morning), ظهراً (noon), عصراً (afternoon), or مساءً (evening).
Examples (6)
- الساعة الآن الثانية تماماً.
The time now is exactly two o'clock.
Word by Word: The hour now the second exactly.
Uses the feminine ordinal 'الثانية' to match the feminine noun 'الساعة'.
- سأراك في الساعة الواحدة والنصف.
I will see you at one thirty.
Word by Word: I will see you in the hour the one and the half.
Demonstrates the exception for 1:00 (الواحدة) and the use of 'half' (النصف).
- الآن الساعة الخامسة إلا ربعاً.
It is now a quarter to five.
Word by Word: Now the hour the fifth except a quarter.
Uses 'إلا' to subtract a quarter from the upcoming hour (5:00), with the fraction in the formal indefinite accusative case.
- يصل القطار في الساعة العاشرة وعشرين دقيقةً.
The train arrives at 10:20.
Word by Word: Arrives the train in the hour the tenth and twenty minute.
Shows how to add specific minutes using 'و' and cardinal numbers, with 'دقيقةً' in the singular accusative.
- بدأ المؤتمر في الساعة الحادية عشرة صباحاً.
The conference started at 11:00 AM.
Word by Word: Started the conference in the hour the eleventh morning.
Uses the compound ordinal for 11:00 and specifies the time of day.
- الساعة الآن الواحدة ودقيقتان.
The time now is 1:02.
Word by Word: The hour now the one and two minutes.
For two minutes past the hour, the dual form 'دقيقتان' is used in the nominative case.
Common Mistakes
Using the masculine ordinal number.
الساعة الثالث.الساعة الثالثة.The word 'ساعة' is feminine, so the number must also be feminine, ending in 'ة'.
Using 'الأولى' for 1:00.
الساعة الأولى.الساعة الواحدة.While other hours use ordinals, 1:00 specifically uses the cardinal 'الواحدة'.
Using the current hour with 'إلا' (minus) to say 4:45.
الساعة الرابعة إلا الربع.الساعة الخامسة إلا الربع.When saying 'to' the hour, you must use the next hour (e.g., 'Five minus a quarter' for 4:45).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To tell time in Arabic, you must understand how to form ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.) and how to apply them as adjectives to the word 'hour' (الساعة) using the definite article.
Related Patterns
- ـةThe Feminine Ending ة
The feminine ending is required on all numbers used for telling the hour to match the feminine noun 'الساعة'.
Level 1 - و (العطف)And
The conjunction 'wa' is used to add minutes or fractions to the hour.
Level 1 - Numbers One to Ten
Cardinal numbers are used for counting minutes past the hour.
Level 1 - Fractions
Fractions like half, quarter, and third are essential for common time expressions.
Level 5 - الThe Definite Article
The definite article is required for the noun 'hour' and its following ordinal adjective.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice Telling Time in Bubblegum
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