How Do You Read Time in Prague?

By Robert Palmer

How Do You Read Time in Prague?

When visiting Prague, it’s essential to not only immerse yourself in the city’s rich history and culture but also understand how to read the time like a true local. The Czech Republic follows the 24-hour clock system, commonly known as military time. Let’s delve into the specifics of how you can read time in Prague:

Czech Time Format

The Czech time format uses a 24-hour clock system, which means that the day is divided into 24 hours, starting from midnight and ending at midnight on the following day. This format eliminates any confusion between AM and PM.

To express time using this format, a colon (:) is used to separate the hours and minutes. For example:

  • 7:30 – Seven thirty in the morning
  • 15:45 – Quarter to four in the afternoon

The Czech Word for “Hour”

In Czech, the word for “hour” is “hodina”. When telling the time, it is common to use this word after stating the hour. For instance:

  • 7:00 hodina – Seven o’clock
  • 14:30 hodina – Two-thirty (literal translation) or half past two (commonly used)

Saying “Quarter” and “Half”

To indicate specific times such as quarter past or half-past, Czech uses different expressions. Here are some examples:

  • 7:15 hodina – Quarter past seven
  • 12:30 hodina – Half past twelve
  • 18:45 hodina – Quarter to seven in the evening

The Czech Word for “Minute”

The word for “minute” in Czech is “minuta”. When expressing time, it is customary to use this word after stating the number of minutes. For example:

  • 8:05 hodina pět minut – Five minutes past eight (literal translation) or five past eight (commonly used)
  • 16:47 hodina čtyřicet sedm minut – Forty-seven minutes to five (literal translation) or thirteen minutes to five (commonly used)

Telling Time at Night

In the evening and during the night, Czech uses different expressions when stating the time. Here are a few examples:

  • 21:00 hodina devět večer – Nine o’clock in the evening
  • 3:30 hodina tři třicet ráno – Three-thirty in the morning
  • 23:45 hodina jedenáct čtyřicet pět nocí – Eleven forty-five at night

In Prague, reading time using the 24-hour clock system is not only practical but also helps you blend in with the locals. Remembering these essential phrases and expressions will make your stay in Prague all the more enjoyable.

Now that you know how to read time like a true Praguer, you can confidently navigate the city and make the most of your time in this enchanting destination.