3.3.1: Che ora e' ? Che ore sono? A che ora?
- Page ID
- 341178
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)How to Tell Time in Italian
The questions we ask about time—what time is it? when does it start? what time are we meeting?—shape how we move through daily life and how we interact with the people around us. Learning to talk about time means learning how to organize plans, express routines, and participate more fully in everyday conversations. In this section, you’ll begin using time expressions and questions to communicate with clarity and confidence.
- Learn how to ask and answer questions about the time in Italian.
- Understand how to use the verb essere and the definite article le in telling time.
- Differentiate between “Che ore sono?” and “A che ora…?”.
- Practice telling time using both the 12-hour and 24-hour systems.
- Engage in real-life roleplay and dialogues to reinforce time-telling skills.
To ask about the time, use:
- Che ora è?
- Che ore sono?
Example:
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Sono le dieci e dieci. (It’s 10:10.)
In Italian, the verb essere is used when telling time, along with the definite article le because it represents le ore (the hours), which is feminine and plural.
Dividing the Clock
The Italian clock is divided into four quarters of an hour.
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To add minutes (on the right side of the clock), use e:
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Sono le dieci e dieci. (10:10)
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To subtract minutes (on the left side of the half hour), use meno:
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Sono le dieci meno dieci. (9:50)
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Alternatively, you can just add minutes throughout:
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Sono le nove e cinquanta. (9:50)
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| Time Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sono le due e mezzo. | 2:30 |
| Sono le due e trenta. | 2:30 |
| Sono le quattordici. | 2:00 pm (24-hour) |
| È mezzogiorno. | 12:00 pm (noon) |
| È mezzanotte. | 12:00 am (midnight |
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Le quattordici is an example of the 24-hour clock, common in Italy for timetables and schedules. Just add 12 to get the 24-hour time.
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Notice è (singular verb) is used with mezzogiorno and mezzanotte. It’s also used with l’una since one is singular:
È l’una e un quarto. (1:15)
Che ore sono?
Write the correct digital time for each sentence.
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Sono le quattro e mezzo.
Digital time: ______________________ -
Sono le undici meno un quarto.
Digital time: ______________________ -
Sono le tredici e venti.
Digital time: ______________________ -
È mezzogiorno e cinque.
Digital time: ______________________ -
Sono le ventidue.
Digital time: ______________________ -
È l’una meno dieci.
Digital time: ______________________
Che ore sono?
Look at the digital times below and write the time in Italian words.
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3:15 pm
Written time: ______________________ -
9:40 pm
Written time: ______________________ -
7:05 am
Written time: ______________________ -
11:25 pm
Written time: ______________________ -
12:10 am
Written time: ______________________ -
6:50 am
Written time: ______________________
Che ore è?
Look at the digital times below and write the time in Italian words.
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16:35
Written time: ______________________ -
20:45
Written time: ______________________ -
10:50
Written time: ______________________ -
11:15
Written time: ______________________ -
14:10
Written time: ______________________ -
18:50
Written time: ______________________
Roleplay: Scusa, sai che ore sono?
Use the dialogue below with classmates. Change the time and information as you wish.
S1: Buongiorno! Scusa, sai che ore sono?
S2: Certo, sono le ___________.
S1: Grazie mille!
S2: Prego! Arrivederci!
A che ora…?
Use A che ora…? to ask when something happens. Respond with alle, all’ or a plus the time.
Examples:
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A che ora inizia la lezione d’italiano?
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La lezione d’italiano inizia alle dieci e dieci.
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A che ora parte il treno da Milano Centrale?
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Il treno parte alle diciotto e cinque.
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You can also respond to Quando…? questions with the same construction.
L’orario di Valentina
Study Valentina’s weekly schedule and answer the questions in complete sentences.
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Lunedì | 10:00 am | lezione di inglese |
| Martedì | 2:30 pm | caffè con Francesca |
| Martedì | 4:00 pm | incontro con il prof. d’inglese |
| Mercoledì | 12:00 pm | pranzo con Fede |
| Giovedì | 6:00 pm | pulire la casa |
| Venerdì | 8:00 pm | cena a casa di Fede |
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A che ora incontra il professore d’inglese martedì? ________________________
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A che ora cena a casa di Fede venerdì? ________________________________
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Quando gioca a pallavolo? __________________________________________
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Quando pulisce la casa? ____________________________________________
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Quando ha la lezione d’inglese? ______________________________________
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A che ora prende un caffè con Francesca lunedì? ________________________
Continua la conversazione!
In pairs, ask each other about Valentina’s schedule using A che ora…? questions.
E la tua settimana?
Tell your partner what your week looks like. Give at least five examples using A che ora…?.
Example:
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Sabato alle 11 gioco a tennis con la mia amica.
La mia settimana
Prima Parte
Do you have a lot to do this week as well? Write at least five different activities in the calendar below.
Esempio:
Mercoledì gioco a tennis con gli amici alle 17:00.
| lunedì | martedì | mercoledì | giovedì | venerdì | sabato | domenica |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seconda Parte
Then, tell your partner about your plans! While you listen to their plans, fill out the calendar below with their information. Pay attention to the verb forms! When you’re talking about another person, you should use the lui/lei form.
| lunedì | martedì | mercoledì | giovedì | venerdì | sabato | domenica |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nota sull’uso di “il lunedì” vs. “lunedì”
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il lunedì → means on Mondays (in general)
Vado in palestra il lunedì. (I go to the gym on Mondays.)
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lunedì → means this Monday / a specific Monday
Vado in palestra lunedì. (I’m going to the gym this Monda