Italian Phrase
Esco alle 7 di mattina.
Meaning
I leave at seven o’clock in the morning. It’s a straightforward way to state the time you depart for work, school, or any other activity.
When to use
Use this sentence when you’re describing your daily routine, answering a question about your schedule, or telling a friend when you’ll meet them in the early morning.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Escoalle7dimattina
Uscire (Esco)
‘Uscire’ means ‘to go out/leave’. In the present tense, 1st person singular is ‘esco’.
Alle (a + le)
‘Alle’ is the contraction of the preposition ‘a’ (at) with the plural article ‘le’, used for telling time (e.g., alle 7).
Di mattina
‘Di mattina’ specifies the time of day (in the morning). It follows the hour to clarify whether it’s AM or PM.
Numbers as cardinal
When telling time, use cardinal numbers (sette) without the article.
🗨In Conversation
A che ora esci per andare al lavoro?
What time do you leave to go to work?
Esco alle 7 di mattina.
I leave at seven in the morning.
✕Common Mistakes
Esco a le 7 di mattina.
The correct contraction is ‘alle 7’, not ‘a le 7’.
Esco alle 7 di mattino.
‘Di mattino’ is acceptable but less common in spoken Italian; ‘di mattina’ sounds more natural.
Sono le 7 di mattina.
‘Sono le 7’ states the time, not the action of leaving.
↔Alternatives
Salgo alle 7 del mattino.
I get up at 7 in the morning.
Me ne vado alle 7 del mattino.
I head out at 7 in the morning.
Parto alle 7 di mattina.
I depart at 7 in the morning.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, people often specify ‘di mattina’ or ‘del mattino’ to avoid confusion with the afternoon. While both are correct, ‘di mattina’ is more common in everyday conversation. Also, leaving at 7 a.m. is typical for schoolchildren and many office workers, especially in larger cities where commutes start early.