How to Say ‘What time is it?’ in French
Il est quelle heure ?
eel eh kel UR
[eel eh kel UR]
💬 Usage Tip: Il here doesn't mean he, it's just a placeholder like English it. The l of quelle links into heure (kel-lur).
Phrase Breakdown
Il est
eel eh
It is
Say 'ee-LEH', linking the two words smoothly.
Il est tard.
It's late.
Words in this phrase
Il
[eel]
it (impersonal)
Impersonal subject used with verbs like 'rester' meaning 'there is left'.
Il reste du pain.
There is some bread left.
est
[eh]
is
Third person singular present of be.
C'est important.
It is important.
quelle heure ?
kel UR
what time?
Say 'keh-LUHR', linking the 'l' to 'heure'. The 'h' is silent. Let your voice rise for the question.
À quelle heure ?
At what time?
Words in this phrase
quelle
[kel]
what
Feminine form of 'quel', asking which or what.
Quelle rue ?
Which street?
heure
[UR]
hour / o'clock
Unit of time; used to tell the time of day.
Le restaurant ferme à onze heures.
The restaurant closes at eleven o'clock.
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