French Phrase
Il est deux heures vingt.
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to express the time 2:20 in French. It uses the impersonal 'il est' construction followed by the specific hour and minutes. Note that the word 'heures' must always be included between the hour and the minutes in French.
When to use
Use this phrase when answering a question about the current time or specifying the time of an appointment. It is suitable for both formal and informal situations.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Il estdeuxheuresvingt
Impersonal 'Il'
The 'Il' in this context does not refer to a person; it is an impersonal subject used for weather and time.
Liaison
The final 'x' in 'deux' is pronounced as a /z/ sound because it is followed by the vowel in 'heures'.
Plurality
The word 'heures' is plural because it follows a number greater than one.
🗨In Conversation
Excusez-moi, vous avez l'heure ?
Excuse me, do you have the time?
Oui, il est deux heures vingt.
Yes, it is two twenty.
✕Common Mistakes
C'est deux heures vingt.
In French, time is always introduced with 'Il est' rather than 'C'est'.
Il est deux vingt.
Unlike English, you cannot omit the word 'heures' when telling the time.
↔Alternatives
Il est quatorze heures vingt.
It is 14:20 (2:20 PM).
Il est deux heures et vingt minutes.
It is two hours and twenty minutes.
Cultural Tip
French speakers frequently use the 24-hour clock (l'heure officielle) for schedules, work, and formal events. In casual conversation, the 12-hour clock is common, but you should specify 'de l'après-midi' if there is any ambiguity between AM and PM.