Sono le tre e mezza del pomeriggio
It is three thirty in the afternoon
Language note: Pronounced 'so-no leh treh eh met-tsa del po-meh-reed-joe', get familiar with telling time!
Culture note: Tea time or 'merenda' often occurs later in the afternoon, a perfect time to enjoy a snack in Italy.
Context: Giulia plans to take a break at three thirty in the afternoon after her busy schedule.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
Sono
[SOH-no]
It's half past three in the afternoon
Saying the time when it is exactly 3:30 PM.
Sono le tre e mezza del pomeriggio, ora di un caffè.
It's half past three in the afternoon, time for a coffee.
le
[leh]
It's half past three in the afternoon
Saying the time when it is exactly 3:30 PM.
Quando siamo partiti erano le tre e mezza.
When we left, it was half past three.
tre
[treh]
It's half past three in the afternoon
Saying the time when it is exactly 3:30 PM.
Vorrei andare a casa alle tre e mezza.
I would like to go home at half past three.
e
[eh]
It's half past three in the afternoon
Saying the time when it is exactly 3:30 PM.
Sono le tre e mezza di pomeriggio, il sole è ancora alto.
It's half past three in the afternoon, the sun is still high.
mezza
[MEH-tzah]
It's half past three in the afternoon
Saying the time when it is exactly 3:30 PM.
È quasi sera, guardiamo l'orologio: sono le tre e mezza.
It's almost evening, let's check the clock: it's half past three.
del
[dehl]
It's half past three in the afternoon
Saying the time when it is exactly 3:30 PM.
Le lezioni riprenderanno alle tre e mezza del pomeriggio.
Classes will resume at half past three in the afternoon.
pomeriggio
[poh-meh-REE-joe]
It's half past three in the afternoon
Saying the time when it is exactly 3:30 PM.
Nel pomeriggio abbiamo un appuntamento alle tre e mezza.
In the afternoon, we have an appointment at half past three.
Phrase Parts
Sono
They are
Verb, present indicative of 'essere', third person plural.
Sono contenti.
They are happy.
le
the
Definite article, plural feminine nouns.
Le ore stanno passando.
The hours are passing.
tre
three
Number, indicates the hour.
Tre amici sono venuti.
Three friends came over.
e mezza
and a half
Indicates half past the hour.
La lezione dura un'ora e mezza.
The lesson lasts an hour and a half.
del pomeriggio
in the afternoon
Phrase indicating the time of day.
Gioco a calcio del pomeriggio.
I play soccer in the afternoon.
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