German Phrase
Wie spät ist's?
Meaning
This is a very common and slightly informal way to ask for the time in German. It uses a contraction of 'ist es' (is it) into 'ist's', which reflects how native speakers naturally shorten words in daily conversation. While it literally translates to 'How late is it?', it is the standard equivalent of 'What time is it?'
When to use
Use this phrase in everyday situations, such as when talking to friends, family, or even strangers on the street. It is perfect for casual settings where a natural, spoken flow is preferred over textbook formal speech.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Wiespätist's
Wie (How)
In German, questions about the time start with 'how' rather than 'what'.
Contraction (ist's)
The 's is a contraction of the pronoun 'es'. This is very common in spoken German to speed up the flow of the sentence.
🗨In Conversation
Entschuldigung, wie spät ist's?
Excuse me, what time is it?
Es ist fast fünf Uhr.
It is almost five o'clock.
✕Common Mistakes
Wie viel Zeit ist es?
English speakers often try to translate 'time' literally as 'Zeit', but German uses 'spät' (late) or 'Uhr' (clock) to ask for the time.
Wie spät es ist?
Remember to invert the subject and verb in a direct question; the verb 'ist' must come before the subject 'es'.
↔Alternatives
Wie viel Uhr ist es?
What time is it? (Literal: How much clock is it?)
Haben Sie die Uhrzeit?
Do you have the time? (Formal)
Cultural Tip
In German-speaking cultures, punctuality is highly valued, so being aware of the time is important. While 'Wie spät ist's?' is common, you might notice regional variations in how people answer, especially when describing 'quarter to' or 'half past' the hour.