How to Tell Time and Dates in Russian for English Speakers

Understanding Numbers in Russian

Before you can tell time or understand dates in Russian, it's essential to have a good grasp of Russian numbers. Familiarize yourself with the numbers from one to sixty as they are crucial for telling time.

Common Russian Numbers

How to Tell Time in Russian

Telling time in Russian can be slightly different from English. Russian uses both the 12-hour and 24-hour systems, so it's important to know both.

Telling the Hour

For telling the hour in Russian, you will use the phrase "сейчас ... час" which means "it is ... o'clock." For example, "сейчас три часа" means "it is three o'clock."

Using Minutes

When incorporating minutes, use the word "минут" after the number of minutes past the hour. For instance, "сейчас пять минут пятого" means "it is five minutes past four o'clock."

Saying Dates in Russian

Dates in Russian are typically written in the day-month-year format. Understanding the months and ordinal numbers is crucial for expressing dates correctly.

Months of the Year

Full Date Format

When saying a full date in Russian, use the sentence structure: day (ordinal) month year, with the appropriate case endings. For example, "первого января две тысячи двадцать первого года" means "January 1, 2021."

Practice and Cultural Tips