Italian Phrase
A che ora comincia la scuola oggi?
Meaning
The sentence asks for the specific time that school starts on the current day. It’s a common question among students, parents, and teachers when planning the morning routine.
When to use
Use this phrase in any school‑related conversation: asking a classmate, checking with a teacher, or confirming the schedule with a parent. It works both in informal chats and in more formal settings like a school office.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Acheoracomincialascuolaoggi
A che ora
Fixed phrase meaning “at what time”. It combines the preposition “a” (at) with the interrogative “che ora” (what time).
comincia
Third‑person singular present of the verb “cominciare” (to begin). It agrees with the singular noun “la scuola”.
la scuola
Definite article + noun; “the school”. In Italian the article is required before most singular nouns.
oggi
Adverb of time meaning “today”. Placed at the end of the sentence for emphasis.
🗨In Conversation
A che ora comincia la scuola oggi?
What time does school start today?
Comincia alle otto e mezza.
It starts at eight thirty.
✕Common Mistakes
Che ora comincia la scuola oggi?
Missing the preposition “a”. The correct phrase is “A che ora”.
A che ora comincia la scuola oggi?
Learners sometimes use “comincia” for formal contexts; “inizia” is more neutral.
↔Alternatives
A che ora inizia la scuola oggi?
What time does school start today?
A che ora parte la scuola oggi?
What time does school start today?
A che ora è la prima lezione oggi?
At what time is the first lesson today?
Cultural Tip
In most Italian regions primary schools start between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., while secondary schools may begin a bit later, around 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. The exact time can differ by municipality, so it’s always good to double‑check the local timetable. Also, “cominciare” is slightly more informal than “iniziare”, which is preferred in official communications.