How to tell the time

What time is it for you right now? Watch this video to learn how to tell the time!

Help

Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the activities.

Transcript

MELISA: Emily, do you know what time it is?

EMILY: No, what time is it?

MELISA: It's pizza time!

EMILY: Mmm, yum!

MELISA: Hey, wait! Today we're going to learn how to tell the time … with a pizza!

EMILY: Oh, OK!

MELISA: OK, before we start, we have to know a couple of things.

EMILY: This is a clock, right?

MELISA: Yes, and these are its hands. The little hand shows us the hours and the big hand shows us the minutes.

When the big hand is pointing to the twelve, we say it's o'clock.

Now it's four o'clock. So, Emily, what's the time now?

EMILY: Mmm, now it's five o'clock!

MELISA: Very good!

When the big hand is pointing to the three, we say it's quarter past.

EMILY: Mmm, why do we say it's quarter past?

MELISA: Because a quarter of the hour has passed! So, what's the time?

EMILY: Now it's quarter past … five?

MELISA: Perfect! When the big hand is pointing to the six, we say it's half past.

EMILY: Because half of the hour has passed! So, now it's half past five!

MELISA: Fantastic! And, finally, when the big hand is on the nine, we say it's quarter to.

EMILY: So now it's quarter to six!

MELISA: Perfect! But, what happens when the big hand isn't on the twelve, the three, the six or the nine?

EMILY: Pff, I don't know!

MELISA: Well, we count the minutes in fives. So, now it's five past six, it's ten past six, it's quarter past six …

EMILY: ... it's twenty past six, it's twenty-five past six, it's half past six …

MELISA: Wait a minute! After half past, it changes. Then we count how many minutes there are before the next hour. It's twenty-five to seven, it's twenty to seven …

EMILY: I see! It's quarter to seven, it's ten to seven …

MELISA: That's right!

EMILY: What time is it? I'm hungry!

MELISA: It's pizza o'clock!

EMILY: Yes!

MELISA: We hope you have fun learning to tell the time with us!

MELISA AND EMILY: Goodbye!

MELISA: Remember! To tell the time:

  • When the big hand is on the twelve, we say it's o'clock.
  • When the big hand is on the three, we say it's quarter past.
  • When the big hand is on the six, we say it's half past.
  • When the big hand is on the nine, we say it's quarter to.
  • For other times, we count the minutes in fives.

That's it! Now you can practise telling the time.

Discussion

Did you like this video? What's your favourite time of day? Tell us about it!

Average: 4 (54 votes)

Submitted by BrightNoodles3000 on Wed, 17/05/2023 - 19:40

Permalink

Hi to LearnEnglish kids team!
The video does not play by chrome browser and safari, I tried a lot, it is the country problem, web problem or another problem??
Please solve this problem.
Best regards

Submitted by MissInternetEarth on Thu, 18/05/2023 - 09:06

In reply to by BrightNoodles3000

Permalink

Hi BrightNoodles3000,
I'm sorry to read that you're having problems with the video. Is it just this video that isn't working, or all the videos on the site?
Are you trying to watch it on a phone, tablet or laptop? Perhaps you can try changing to a different device. If that still doesn't work, please ask an adult to write to us and we will try to help.
https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/contact-us

Best wishes,
MissInternetEarth
LearnEnglish Kids team

Submitted by TopazXylophone… on Thu, 29/04/2021 - 18:05

Permalink
and how do you tell the time if it is sth like 5:34?

Hi TopazXylophoneTonight,

That's a good question! If I want to give a precise time, like 5:34, I say 'five thirty four'. But sometimes it doesn't have to be completely precise, in which case I could say 'twenty five to six'. 

I hope that helps!

 

MissInternetEarth

LearnEnglish Kids team

Submitted by MissDuckTram on Tue, 16/03/2021 - 17:13

Permalink
tomorrow because tomorrow is wensday

Submitted by PrincessLuteFairy on Thu, 28/01/2021 - 12:32

Permalink
One day =24 hour

Submitted by QueenTeaJasmine on Tue, 29/12/2020 - 14:23

Permalink
I like this video too , my favorite time of day is 12 o `clock .

Submitted by DrinkingGlitter9999 on Tue, 01/09/2020 - 15:59

Permalink
It is nice

Submitted by MasterCastleEmerald on Mon, 31/08/2020 - 04:22

Permalink
interesting!!!!!!!!

Submitted by ShinyGarnet4 on Mon, 31/08/2020 - 04:04

Permalink
I likes it very much!!

Submitted by DoctorAthleteJasmine on Wed, 05/08/2020 - 14:48

Permalink
I like it tooooooo.

Submitted by AgentStarlightPuppy on Fri, 03/07/2020 - 14:44

Permalink
Nice video

Submitted by AgentBudgieSand on Thu, 21/05/2020 - 14:57

Permalink
My favourite time of day is 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. , because I'm free! Very nice video! I learned a lot of things! Thank you

Submitted by LadyClarinetMarigold on Mon, 11/05/2020 - 19:51

Permalink
It’s perfect!

Submitted by ProfessorCatMusic on Sun, 29/03/2020 - 12:54

Permalink
Video is very interesting.

Submitted by MissFluteJasmine on Mon, 23/03/2020 - 14:53

Permalink
Nice video!

English courses for children aged 6-17

Learn more

Sign up to our newsletter for free learning tips and resources

We will process your data to send you our newsletter and updates based on your consent. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of every email. Read our privacy policy for more information.