Telling the Time ​

Maltese uses both traditional spoken clock expressions and numeric 24-hour time. Numeric notation is clearest when arranging a meeting. In spoken expressions, note the forms of siegħa (hour) and the clock numerals.

1. Asking the Time and Saying O'Clock ​

• X'ħin hu?: What time is it?
• Huwa s-sagħtejn.: It is two o'clock.
• Hija s-siegħa.: It is one o'clock.
• Huma t-tlieta.: It is three o'clock.

Common o'clock forms are below. Noon and midnight are also commonly expressed as nofsinhar and nofsillejl; articles and colloquial forms may vary slightly by context.

Ask X'ħin hu?. In response, give the clock expression or numeric time, for example Huwa s-sagħtejn. (It is two o'clock) or Huwa 14:00. (It is 14:00).

2. Parts of the Day and Relative Time ​

A time of day can follow a specific time: fit-07:15 ta' filgħodu (7:15 a.m.), fl-14:30 ta' wara nofsinhar (2:30 p.m.), fit-20:45 ta' filgħaxija (8:45 p.m.).

3. Hours and Minutes ​

u means “and/past” and is used for minutes after the hour: it-tlieta u għaxar minuti (ten past three). nofs means “half”: it-tlieta u nofs (half past three). neqsin is the plural of nieqes (missing/short) and expresses minutes to the next hour: it-tlieta neqsin kwart (a quarter to three, 2:45). Numeric time is clearest for minutes that are not a quarter-hour. Before a time, f' is commonly used and contracts with the article according to spelling conventions.

• it-tlieta u kwart: quarter past three (3:15)
• it-tlieta u nofs: half past three (3:30)
• it-tlieta neqsin kwart: quarter to three (2:45)
• l-erbgħa neqsin għaxar minuti: ten to four (3:50)
• fit-08:15: at 08:15
• fit-14:30: at 14:30
• fit-18:45: at 18:45

For hours and minutes, say the hour first and then the minutes. If unsure about the traditional spoken form, use 24-hour numeric notation. Numeric notation is also recommended for formal appointments, tickets, and itineraries.

4. Twenty Clock-Time Expressions ​

These are time expressions, not full sentences. ta' filgħodu, ta' wara nofsinhar, and ta' filgħaxija indicate morning, afternoon, and evening. Use the 24-hour clock when you need to avoid ambiguity.

5. Durations ​

Use għal + duration to express “for a duration”; idum (to last/take) can also state how long something takes. Minutes are minuta/minuti; kwarta means a quarter of an hour, and nofs siegħa means half an hour. sagħtejn is a common dual form for two hours; sigħat is used for multiple hours. Two days can be expressed as jumejn.