heure
hour
The French word for hour is 'heure.' It's used very much as it is in English, referring to a period of time equal to a 24th of a day and night. For example, 'Une heure' is 'one hour'. However, unlike in English, when telling time, French speakers commonly use the 24-hour clock (military time) instead of the 12-hour clock.
Example sentences using: heure
Je travaille jusqu'à trois heures.
I work until three o'clock.
In this sentence, 'heure' means 'o'clock'. 'Trois heures' means 'three o'clock'.
Je vais manger à une heure.
I’m going to eat at one o’clock.
In French, time is usually denoted with 'heure'. In this case, 'à une heure' means 'at one o’clock'.
C'est l'heure du déjeuner.
It's lunchtime.
This phrase literally translates to 'It's the hour of lunch'. In French, 'heure' is often used to indicate a particular time for an activity.
Il est tard, quelle heure est-il?
It’s late, what time is it?
This sentence is typically used when the speaker does not know the current time and wants to ask someone else.
C'est une heure difficile.
It's a difficult time.
In this context, 'heure' also means 'time'. When describing a certain period or moment as 'difficult' or 'hard', French uses 'heure' instead of 'temps'.
Il est cinq heures du matin.
It's five o'clock in the morning.
'Cinq heures du matin' means 'five o'clock in the morning'. In French, 'du matin' (in the morning) is typically used to specify the time of day.
A quelle heure le magasin ferme-t-il?
What time does the store close?
This is a question asking for the specific time when the store closes. 'A quelle heure' means 'at what time'.
Elle arrive à sept heures.
She arrives at seven o'clock.
This sentence uses 'heure' to indicate the specific time of arrival. 'Sept heures' means 'seven o'clock'.
Je vais me coucher à une heure tardive.
I go to bed at a late hour.
In this phrase, a 'late hour' is denoted by 'une heure tardive'. It suggests going to bed at an hour considered late, for instance after 11 or 12 pm.