A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "It's a quarter to six" in Italian
Learn how to tell time in Italy using the standard 'minus' method, which is the most common way to express time before the hour.
Sono le sei meno un quarto.
SOH-noh leh SEH-ee MEH-noh oon KWAR-tohneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this when checking the time with a friend or asking a stranger in the street. Italians almost always subtract minutes from the upcoming hour rather than adding them to the current one.
Alternatives
- Manca un quarto alle sei.A slightly more descriptive way to say there is a quarter left until six.
- Sono le cinque e quarantacinque.Used when you need to be precise, such as for train schedules or appointments.
Ways to get it wrong
Adding instead of subtracting
Avoid saying 'cinque e quarantacinque' in casual conversation; Italians prefer the 'minus' structure for times after the half-hour.
Literal translation
Do not translate 'quarter to' literally as 'quarto a', as it is grammatically incorrect.
A small cultural note
Italians use the 12-hour clock in daily conversation, but you will see the 24-hour clock on digital displays, train boards, and official store hours.
Frequently asked
How do I say 5:45 in Italian?
You say 'Sono le sei meno un quarto'. This literally translates to 'It is six minus a quarter'.
Do Italians use AM and PM?
No, they typically use the 24-hour clock for clarity or add context like 'di mattina' or 'di sera'. In casual speech, the time of day is usually obvious from the context.
Why do Italians subtract minutes?
It is simply the standard linguistic convention for telling time in Italy. Once you pass the 30-minute mark, the focus shifts to the upcoming hour.
