Italian Phrase
Sono le 7 di sera.
Meaning
The sentence means “It is seven o’clock in the evening.” It tells the listener the exact hour and clarifies that it is after sunset, not in the morning or afternoon.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to give the time after dark, for example when meeting friends for dinner, checking a train schedule, or answering a phone call in the evening.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Sonole7disera
Verb essere (sono)
Use the third‑person singular form *sono* when stating the time, regardless of the hour.
Definite article *le* with hours
Italian requires the feminine plural article *le* before clock numbers (except *l'una* for 1 o’clock).
Number format
You can say the numeral (7) or spell it out (*sette*); both are correct.
Time of day preposition *di*
*di* + part of day (mattina, pomeriggio, sera, notte) specifies when the hour occurs.
🗨In Conversation
Che ora è?
What time is it?
Sono le 7 di sera.
It’s seven o’clock in the evening.
✕Common Mistakes
È le 7 di sera.
Use *sono* for plural hours; *è* is only correct for *l'una* (1 o’clock).
Sono 7 di sera.
The article *le* cannot be omitted; *Sono 7 di sera* is ungrammatical.
Sono le 7 di notte.
*di notte* refers to the period after midnight, not the early evening.
↔Alternatives
È le 7 di sera.
It’s 7 p.m.
Sono le sette di sera.
It’s seven in the evening.
Sono le 19:00.
It’s 19:00.
Sono le 7 di pomeriggio.
It’s 7 p.m. (in the afternoon).
Cultural Tip
In everyday conversation Italians usually use the 12‑hour clock with *di mattina, di pomeriggio, di sera* or *di notte* to avoid ambiguity. In written schedules, transport timetables, and formal settings the 24‑hour clock (e.g., 19:00) is preferred. Remember that *le* is mandatory before any hour except *l'una* (1 o’clock).