Il est une heure
It is one o'clock
Language note: Time is typically expressed with 'il est' followed by the hour.
Culture note: In cozy cafes, you might often hear this phrase as lunchtime approaches.
Context: Your friend looks at their watch and tells you the time.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
Il
[eel]
It
Used as a subject pronoun for things or concepts.
Il fait beau aujourd'hui.
It is nice today.
est
[ay]
is
A form of the verb 'to be', indicating existence or a state of being.
Est-il là ?
Is he there?
une
[oon]
one
The number 1; a single unit or item.
Il est une heure pile.
It is one o'clock sharp.
heure
[uhr]
hour
A unit of time equivalent to 60 minutes.
Il reste une heure avant de partir.
There is one hour left before leaving.
Phrase Parts
Il
It
Used as a subject pronoun to introduce the time.
Il est midi.
It is noon.
est
is
Third person singular form of 'être' (to be).
Elle est ici.
She is here.
une heure
one o'clock
Used to indicate the time of one hour past midnight or noon.
Une heure du matin.
One o'clock in the morning.
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