⏰7️⃣3️⃣0️⃣

How to Say ‘Around half past seven’ in German

So gegen halb acht

zoh GAY-gen halp ahkht

[zoh GAY-gen halp ahkht]

💬 Usage Tip: halb acht means half an hour before eight, so 7:30, not 8:30. Likewise halb neun is 8:30.

Phrase Breakdown

So gegen

zoh GAY-gen

Around about

'so' and 'gegen' together make a time approximate. The 'g' in 'gegen' is hard both times.

Example

So gegen Mittag.

Around noon.

Words in this phrase

[zoh]

about, roughly

Softens a time to mean approximately.

Example

Wir kommen so um sieben.

We'll come around seven.

gegen

[GAY-gen]

around, about (time)

With times it means approximately.

Example

Ich komme gegen acht.

I'll come around eight.

halb acht

halp ahkht

half past seven (7:30)

German counts half toward the next hour, so 'halb acht' means 7:30, not 8:30. The 'ch' in 'acht' is a throaty sound.

Example

Wir essen um halb acht.

We eat at 7:30.

Words in this phrase

halb

[halp]

half (to)

In German time, 'halb' plus an hour means thirty minutes before that hour.

Example

Wir treffen uns um halb sechs.

We meet at half past five.

acht

[ahkht]

eight

The number 8; with 'halb' it means half past seven (halfway to eight).

Example

Wir kommen um acht Uhr.

We are coming at eight o'clock.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Berlin bureaucracy requires real German. This app got me from zero to handling my Anmeldung appointment in three weeks. My coworkers couldn’t believe it.”

Emma L., 27, UX Researcher

“Relocated to Munich with my family. The everyday scenarios — grocery shopping, doctor visits, school meetings — are exactly what we needed to settle in.”

Marcus J., 40, Engineer

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer