French Phrase
Il est quatre heures et demie.
Meaning
This is the standard French way to say it is 4:30. The phrase uses the impersonal 'Il est' to state the time, followed by the specific hour and the expression 'et demie' to indicate the half-hour mark.
When to use
Use this phrase in any situation where you need to tell someone the time, whether in a formal meeting or a casual conversation. It is the most common way to express 4:30 in the 12-hour clock format.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Il estquatreheureset demie
Il est
This is the fixed impersonal expression used to introduce the time in French.
Heures
The word 'heures' is mandatory in French time-telling, unlike the optional 'o'clock' in English.
Et demie
This translates to 'and a half.' The 'e' at the end of 'demie' is required because it agrees with the feminine noun 'heure'.
🗨In Conversation
Quelle heure est-il, s'il vous plaît ?
What time is it, please?
Il est quatre heures et demie.
It is half past four.
✕Common Mistakes
C'est quatre heures et demie.
In French, you must use 'Il est' rather than 'C'est' when stating the time.
Il est quatre et demie.
You cannot omit the word 'heures' when telling the time in French.
↔Alternatives
Il est seize heures trente.
It is 16:30.
Il est quatre heures trente.
It is four thirty.
Cultural Tip
While the 24-hour clock is frequently used for official schedules like trains and television in France, the 12-hour clock is preferred in spoken conversation. Note that 'demie' is feminine to agree with the feminine noun 'heure'.