Italian Phrase
La colazione, a che ora è?
Meaning
This question asks for the exact time when breakfast is served. It is commonly used in hotels, schools, or at a friend’s house when you need to know the schedule.
When to use
Use it whenever you need to confirm the breakfast hour – for example, at the reception desk of a hotel, when checking a daily itinerary, or when coordinating with a host.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Lacolazione,acheoraè?
Definite article (La)
La is the feminine singular definite article used before a noun that starts with a consonant.
Noun (colazione)
Colazione means “breakfast” and is a feminine singular noun.
Time phrase (a che ora)
The set phrase a che ora literally means “at what hour” and is the standard way to ask for a specific time.
Verb (è)
È is the third‑person singular of essere used to tell time; it follows the time phrase without inversion.
Punctuation
A comma before a che ora adds a slight pause, making the question sound more natural in spoken Italian.
🗨In Conversation
La colazione, a che ora è?
When is breakfast?
È dalle 7 alle 10.
It’s from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
✕Common Mistakes
La colazione, che ora è?
The preposition a is required before che ora when asking for a specific time.
È a che ora la colazione?
Word order should place the time phrase before the verb; otherwise it sounds unnatural.
La colazione è a che ora?
While understandable, the more natural phrasing is either “A che ora è la colazione?” or the version with the comma as shown.
↔Alternatives
A che ora è la colazione?
At what time is breakfast?
Quando è la colazione?
When is breakfast?
A che ora servono la colazione?
At what time do they serve breakfast?
Cultural Tip
In Italy breakfast (la colazione) is usually light – a cappuccino or espresso with a croissant or biscotti – and is typically served between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. Asking the time politely, as in this phrase, shows respect for the host’s schedule and is appreciated in both formal and casual settings.