New here? This is lesson 27 of a free 240-lesson English course.
What time is it in English
Ana needs the time at the Blue Plate. Murray looks into his cup and guesses one time. Dee is still pouring, and she says another.
You'll ask what time it is. You'll tell the time on the hour and the half hour.
Three o'clock is 3:00. Half past two and two thirty are both 2:30.
You'll also ask when something starts, and give a start time.
By the end of this lesson
Ask and tell the time on the hour and the half hour.
- What time is it?Please tell me the clock time.
- It's three o'clock.The clock says 3:00.
- It's half past two.The clock says 2:30.
- When does it start?At what clock time does it begin?
- At three o'clock.It begins at 3:00.
- It's two thirty.another way to say 2:30
Scene — the clock and the cup
It's morning at the Blue Plate in Logan Square. Ana and Dee talk about a free movie at the library later today.
Dee pours coffee. Murray sits on two stools, with a little coffee left in his cup. The clock over the pie case shows seven.
The jukebox by the door stays quiet.
Learn — hour and half hour
Six short lines cover clock time. You'll ask the time and say 3:00 or 2:30.
You'll also ask when something starts, and answer with a time.
What time is it?
Please tell me the clock time.
When to use it: Ask this when you need the clock time.
Learn it as one piece when you ask the time.
Say it: Link time and is smoothly.
It's three o'clock.
The clock says 3:00.
When to use it: Say this when the clock says 3:00.
Learn it as one piece for a time on the hour.
Say it: Stress clock in o'clock.
It's half past two.
The clock says 2:30.
When to use it: Say this when the clock says 2:30.
Learn it as one piece for the half hour.
When does it start?
At what clock time does it begin?
When to use it: Ask this to learn the start time of something.
Learn it as one piece when you ask about a start time.
At three o'clock.
It begins at 3:00.
When to use it: Say this to give a start time of 3:00.
Learn it as one piece for a start time.
It's two thirty.
another way to say 2:30
When to use it: Say this for 2:30 in everyday conversation.
People often use this short way to say 2:30.
Say it: For th in thirty, put your tongue lightly between your teeth.
Story — two different times
Watch Ana ask the time at the counter. Murray guesses, but Dee knows the time.
Ana then asks about the movie and mixes up the two times.
- The clock shows seven, and Dee pours coffee.
DeeGood morning, hon.hello before noon
AnaExcuse me. Murray, what time is it?She gets Murray's attention and asks for the time.
MurrayWell, it's half past two.Murray guesses it is 2:30.- He looks into his cup as Dee adds more coffee.
- DeeIt's seven o'clock, hon.She says the time now is 7:00.
- Ana turns to Dee and points to the movie picture.
- AnaWhen does it start?At what clock time does it begin?
- DeeAt three o'clock.It begins at 3:00.
- MurrayIt's two thirty.He repeats his wrong guess in a different way.
- AnaIt's three o'clock.She confuses the movie's start time with the time now.
- DeeThree is the movie, hon. It's seven now.She kindly tells Ana which time is for the movie.
Practice — ask and tell the time
Eleven quick exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, match, fill a gap, build a line, and swap a word.
Use the clock time or start time to help you choose.
0 of 11 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
English
What time is it?Drop the Simple English hereIt's three o'clock.Drop the Simple English hereWhen does it start?Drop the Simple English hereAt three o'clock.Drop the Simple English hereSimple English
What do you say?
What do you say?
You're already talking with Dee. Ask her what the clock shows now.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
It's half past two.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
At what clock time does it begin?
When does it ____?
Build the line
Build the line
The clock says 2:30.
.
Tap the words in order.
Pick the reply
Dee says:
Pick the reply
Do you remember the movie time, hon?
She asks if you know when the movie starts.
And you reply with:
Swap the word
Swap the word
The clock says 2:30. Say it the short way.
It's two ____.
True or false?
True or false?
This line asks what the clock shows right now.
What do you say?
What do you say?
Dee is talking to Murray. Get her attention politely before you ask your question.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
hello before noon
Good ____.
Say it — say the time
Now you're Ana at the diner counter. Dee has pictures of clocks for you. Take turns asking questions and reading the times.
Tap the microphone to record your line. You can play the example first and listen to your recording after.
- DeeLet's practice with these clock pictures.She wants to read times together.
- Ana (you)Ask her the time on the first clock.
Ask her the time on the first clock.
What time is it?
Please tell me the clock time.
0 of 6 said
Recap — what you can say now
| English | Simple English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| What time is it? | Please tell me the clock time. | |
| It's three o'clock. | The clock says 3:00. | |
| It's half past two. | The clock says 2:30. | |
| When does it start? | At what clock time does it begin? | |
| At three o'clock. | It begins at 3:00. | |
| It's two thirty. | another way to say 2:30 |
Save your progress — it’s free
Keep your place in the course and see which lines you’ve learned.
Want the next lesson in your inbox?
Get the next lesson by email, one a day.
Join the newsletterDaily lesson emails are coming soon. Newsletter subscribers get them first.
Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Want to keep these times handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.
A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps these times ready at the counter.
Open Yak Cards