German Phrase
Es ist fast zehn Uhr abends.
Meaning
This phrase is used to indicate that the current time is approaching 10 PM. The word 'fast' means 'almost' or 'nearly', and 'abends' specifies the time of day to avoid confusion with the morning.
When to use
Use this phrase in casual conversation when checking the time or responding to someone asking for the time late in the day. It is appropriate for both formal and informal settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
EsistfastzehnUhrabends
Es ist
The standard impersonal construction used to introduce the time, similar to 'It is' in English.
Abends
This is an adverb formed from the noun 'Abend'. Adding an 's' to time-of-day nouns makes them adverbs meaning 'in the [time of day]'.
🗨In Conversation
Wie spät ist es jetzt?
What time is it now?
Es ist fast zehn Uhr abends.
It is almost ten o'clock in the evening.
✕Common Mistakes
Es ist fast zehn Uhr in der Abend.
Use the adverb 'abends' or the phrase 'am Abend' instead of 'in der Abend'.
Es ist fast zehn Uhr nachmittags.
'Nachmittags' refers to the afternoon (1 PM - 6 PM), while 'abends' is for the evening.
↔Alternatives
Es ist gleich zehn.
It's almost ten.
Es ist kurz vor zehn Uhr abends.
It's shortly before ten in the evening.
Cultural Tip
While Germans often use the 24-hour clock for official schedules (e.g., 22:00), in spoken conversation, the 12-hour clock with 'abends' or 'morgens' is much more common. Punctuality is a hallmark of German culture, so 'fast' is a useful qualifier when the time isn't exact.