A1 German GrammarTime Expressions
Learn to tell time and use essential German time expressions. Master days of the week, months, seasons, and common phrases like heute, morgen, and gestern to discuss time in everyday conversations.
1Days of the Week
German days of the week are all masculine (der) and do not require an article in most contexts. They always start with a capital letter. Use am (on) before days when saying when something happens.
Days of the Week
| German | English | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| Montag | Monday | Mo |
| Dienstag | Tuesday | Di |
| Mittwoch | Wednesday | Mi |
| Donnerstag | Thursday | Do |
| Freitag | Friday | Fr |
| Samstag | Saturday | Sa |
| Sonntag | Sunday | So |
Examples
Heute ist Montag.
Today is Monday.
No article needed
Am Freitag habe ich frei.
On Friday I have off.
am = on (for days)
Wir treffen uns am Samstag.
We meet on Saturday.
Common structure for plans
Der Kurs ist jeden Dienstag.
The course is every Tuesday.
jeden = every
2Months and Seasons
German months are similar to English and are all masculine (der). Seasons are also masculine. Use im (in) before months and seasons.
Months of the Year
| German | English | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Januar, Februar, März | January, February, March | Winter/Frühling |
| April, Mai, Juni | April, May, June | Frühling/Sommer |
| Juli, August, September | July, August, September | Sommer/Herbst |
| Oktober, November, Dezember | October, November, December | Herbst/Winter |
Examples
Im Januar ist es kalt.
In January it is cold.
im = in (for months)
Mein Geburtstag ist im Mai.
My birthday is in May.
Common birthday phrase
Im Sommer fahren wir ans Meer.
In summer we go to the sea.
im also for seasons
Der Frühling beginnt im März.
Spring begins in March.
Frühling = spring
3Time of Day
Learn common expressions for parts of the day. These are used with am for morning, afternoon, and evening, but mit in der for night.
Parts of the Day
| German | English | Preposition |
|---|---|---|
| der Morgen | morning | am Morgen |
| der Vormittag | late morning | am Vormittag |
| der Mittag | noon | am Mittag |
| der Nachmittag | afternoon | am Nachmittag |
| der Abend | evening | am Abend |
| die Nacht | night | in der Nacht |
Examples
Am Morgen trinke ich Kaffee.
In the morning I drink coffee.
am Morgen = in the morning
Am Abend sehen wir fern.
In the evening we watch TV.
Daily routine expression
Guten Morgen!
Good morning!
Common greeting
In der Nacht schlafe ich.
At night I sleep.
in der for feminine nouns
4Common Time Words
These essential time words are used constantly in German. They help you express when things happen relative to now: past, present, and future.
Essential Time Words
| German | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| heute | today | Heute ist Montag. |
| morgen | tomorrow | Morgen arbeite ich. |
| gestern | yesterday | Gestern war ich müde. |
| jetzt | now | Jetzt esse ich. |
| später | later | Bis später! |
| immer | always | Ich bin immer pünktlich. |
Examples
Was machst du heute?
What are you doing today?
heute = today
Morgen habe ich keine Zeit.
Tomorrow I have no time.
morgen at start of sentence
Gestern war ich im Kino.
Yesterday I was at the cinema.
gestern with past tense
Wir gehen jetzt nach Hause.
We are going home now.
jetzt = now, right now