Die Uhrzeit (Offiziell & Inoffiziell)

Summary

This video tutorial provides an in-depth guide on how to ask and tell the time in German, covering both formal and informal methods. It explains how to use the 24-hour clock format for formal expressions, such as '18:00' for 6 PM, and contrasts it with the 12-hour format for informal settings. Key phrases for various times are explained, including terms for 'quarter past' (Viertel), 'half' (halb), and 'quarter to' (Viertel vor). The video also explores common variations in the informal expression of time, offering practical examples and tips for mastering time-telling in German.

Takeaways

• 😀 In German, there are two common ways to ask for the time: 'Wie spät ist es?' and 'Wie viel Uhr ist es?' which both mean 'What time is it?'
• 😀 Time in German can be expressed in both formal (official) and informal ways, with the official format using the 24-hour system and the informal using the 12-hour system.
• 😀 To express time formally (officially), the format follows the 24-hour system: 'Hour' followed by 'Uhr' (e.g., 18:00 is written as '18 Uhr').
• 😀 For informal time expression, the 12-hour system is used, where you first mention the minutes, followed by the time reference (e.g., 8:07 becomes '7 Minuten nach 8').
• 😀 The term 'viertel' is used in German to refer to a quarter of an hour (15 minutes), and it is placed before the hour when used informally (e.g., 'Viertel nach 6' means 'Quarter past 6').
• 😀 The word 'halb' refers to half past the hour (30 minutes), and is used both in formal and informal contexts (e.g., 'halb 7' means 'half past 6').
• 😀 The expression 'nach' (after) is used for minutes from 1-29 (e.g., '7 Minuten nach 8' means '7 minutes past 8').
• 😀 The term 'vor' (before) is used for times between 31-59 minutes (e.g., '20 Minuten vor 7' means '20 minutes to 7').
• 😀 In informal German time telling, 'kurz' (shortly) is used for a small number of minutes, usually 1-5 minutes before the hour (e.g., 'kurz vor 9' means 'just before 9').
• 😀 To tell the time using 12-hour format in German, 'AM' and 'PM' are not typically used; the context of the conversation will indicate whether it's in the morning or afternoon (e.g., '6 Uhr' can mean 6 AM or PM depending on context).

Q & A

What is the main topic of the script?

The main topic of the script is how to ask for and tell the time in German, with both formal (official) and informal (unofficial) formats.

What format is used in formal time expressions in German?

In formal time expressions, the 24-hour format is used. The time is written as hours followed by 'Uhr' and then minutes (e.g., 18:00 is '18 Uhr').

How is time expressed in informal German?

In informal German, the 12-hour format is used, and the time is expressed with phrases indicating how many minutes past or to the hour, with terms like 'virtuel' (quarter), 'help' (half), and 'kurs' (few minutes before).

What does 'virtuel' mean in the context of telling time?

'Virtuel' refers to 'quarter' and is used to indicate a time that is 15 minutes past or to the hour (e.g., 6:15 is 'virtuel' or 'quarter past 6').

What is the rule for expressing time in the formal (24-hour) format?

In the formal (24-hour) format, you first state the hour, followed by 'Uhr,' and then the minutes. For example, 06:17 is '6 Uhr 17.'

What is the difference between the formal and informal methods of telling time in German?

The formal method uses the 24-hour format and places the hour first followed by minutes. The informal method uses the 12-hour format and expresses the time in terms of minutes past or to the hour, with additional terms like 'half' or 'quarter.'

What does 'kurs' mean in relation to telling time?

'Kurs' is used when indicating a time that is a few minutes before the hour. It is typically used for minutes 1-5 (e.g., 09:20 is '9 Uhr kurs').

How would you say 'half past' in informal German time expression?

'Half past' is expressed as 'help' in informal German. For example, 5:30 would be 'help sech' (half past 5).

How do you express a time of '10 minutes to the hour' in informal German?

To express '10 minutes to the hour' in informal German, you use 'vor' (before). For example, 9:50 would be 'zehn vor zehn' (10 minutes to 10).

What is the correct order when telling the time informally in German?

In informal German, the order is minutes first, followed by terms like 'nach' (after), 'vor' (before), or 'halb' (half), and then the hour (e.g., 7:25 would be '5 nach 7').