How to Talk About Time in Italian (Without Confusing “Ora” and “Tempo”)
Introduction: Why “Time” in Italian Is More Than Just a Vocabulary Word
You’re standing at a train station in Florence. The sign says the train leaves alle 14:10. You ask a fellow traveler, “Che ora è?” and they respond with a quick glance at their phone: “È l’una e cinquanta.” Later, you strike up a conversation with an Italian local about your trip, and they say, “Hai tempo di visitare anche Pisa?” You nod—until you realize you’re not exactly sure whether they’re asking about time or weather or something else entirely.
Welcome to one of the most deceptively tricky areas of Italian: talking about time.
If you’re learning Italian, you’ve probably encountered the words tempo and ora. They both mean “time”… sort of. But they don’t mean the same kind of time. And then there’s volta, which can also mean “time” (as in how many times something happens). And orario, which refers to schedules. And a tempo, which doesn’t mean “on time” the way you think it might. Sound familiar?
Talking about time in Italian is not just a vocabulary challenge—it’s a mental shift. Italian divides the concept of time into categories that don’t align neatly with English, and unless you understand the difference between tempo, ora, volta, and orario, it’s easy to stumble.
But once you get it, it opens up a whole new dimension of fluency. You’ll be able to:
Ask for and give the time correctly
Talk about your schedule
Explain how often you do things
Express yourself more naturally in conversations
In this article, we’ll break down the major ways to talk about time in Italian. You’ll learn the real differences between “ora” and “tempo”, when to use volta, how to read time out loud, and how Italians talk about timeliness, delays, and routines.
Whether you're preparing for travel, working with Italians, or just want to express yourself with confidence, this is your go-to guide for mastering Italian time expressions—without getting lost in translation.
Part I: The Four Faces of “Time” in Italian
Let’s start with the core confusion: English has one word—time—that covers everything. Italian has multiple.
1. L’ora / le ore – The time of day
Use ora when talking about clock time or a specific hour.
Examples:
Che ora è? – What time is it?
Sono le sette e mezza. – It’s 7:30.
A che ora arrivi? – At what time are you arriving?
🔹 Ora = “hour” or “time” on the clock.
🔹 Ore is used when talking about duration in hours.
Abbiamo viaggiato per tre ore. – We traveled for three hours.
2. Il tempo – Time as a concept, duration, or the weather
Use tempo for:
Duration in a general sense
Having or not having time
The passage of time
Weather (Yes, same word!)
Examples:
Hai tempo oggi? – Do you have time today?
Il tempo vola! – Time flies!
Non c’è abbastanza tempo. – There isn’t enough time.
Che tempo fa? – What’s the weather like?
Watch out: Saying “Che tempo è?” doesn’t mean “What time is it?” It means “What’s the weather?”
3. La volta / le volte – Occasions or instances
Use volta when referring to how many times something happens.
Examples:
La prima volta che sono andato a Roma… – The first time I went to Rome…
Quante volte ci sei stato? – How many times have you been there?
Ogni volta che lo vedo, ride. – Every time I see him, he laughs.
4. L’orario – A timetable or schedule
This word appears on signs, tickets, and transportation info. It refers to official, structured time—schedules.
Examples:
L’orario dei treni – The train schedule
Il mio orario di lavoro – My work schedule
A che ora chiude secondo l’orario? – What time does it close according to the schedule?
Part II: How to Tell Time in Italian (Clock Time)
Asking the Time
Che ora è? – What time is it?
⚠️ Unlike English, this question always uses the singular è even when the answer is plural.
Telling the Time
Italian uses the verb essere to tell time.
È l’una. – It’s 1:00.
Sono le due. – It’s 2:00.
Sono le cinque e un quarto. – It’s 5:15.
Sono le sette e mezza. – It’s 7:30.
Sono le otto meno dieci. – It’s 10 to 8.
🔹 E un quarto = and a quarter
🔹 E mezza = and a half
🔹 Meno = minus (used to say “minutes to”)
Using 24-Hour Time
Especially for schedules, Italians use the 24-hour clock:
Il treno parte alle 14:20. – The train leaves at 2:20 PM.
La cena è alle 20:00. – Dinner is at 8:00 PM.
Part III: Talking About Time in Daily Life
Expressing Frequency
Ogni giorno – Every day
Una volta alla settimana – Once a week
Due volte al mese – Twice a month
Spesso – Often
Raramente – Rarely
Qualche volta – Sometimes
Di solito – Usually
Examples:
Vado in palestra tre volte alla settimana. – I go to the gym three times a week.
Di solito mangiamo alle otto. – We usually eat at eight.
Talking About Past and Future
La prossima volta – Next time
L’ultima volta – Last time
Un’altra volta – Another time
Examples:
L’ultima volta che ci siamo visti era a Napoli. – Last time we saw each other was in Naples.
Ci vediamo un’altra volta. – Let’s meet another time.
Talking About Running Late or Being on Time
In orario – On time
In ritardo – Late
In anticipo – Early
Examples:
Il treno è in ritardo. – The train is late.
Sei arrivato in anticipo! – You arrived early!
Expressing “Time Flies” and Other Sayings
Il tempo vola. – Time flies.
Non ho tempo da perdere. – I don’t have time to waste.
È solo questione di tempo. – It’s only a matter of time.
Prenditi il tuo tempo. – Take your time.
Part IV: Common Mistakes Learners Make
❌ Mixing up tempo and ora
Saying “Che tempo è?” when you mean “Che ora è?” is a dead giveaway that you're a learner.
❌ Confusing volta with tempo
Saying “Quante tempi sei stato in Italia?” is incorrect. It should be:
“Quante volte sei stato in Italia?”
❌ Using tempo to refer to clock time
Incorrect: “Il treno parte a che tempo?”
Correct: “A che ora parte il treno?”
Part V: Tips for Mastering Time Expressions in Italian
1. Practice With a Daily Log
Each morning, write down:
Che ore sono
Cosa farai oggi e a che ora
Quanto tempo hai per ogni attività
2. Read Train Schedules and Menus
Look at l’orario dei treni, museum opening hours, or restaurant menus to see real-world uses of ora and orario.
3. Use Real Phrases with Repetition
Make it a habit to say things like:
È l’ora di…
Non ho tempo oggi.
La prossima volta ci vediamo a pranzo.
4. Pay Attention to Native Use
Listen to how Italians refer to time in conversation, films, or podcasts. Take note of when they use ora, tempo, volta, and orario.
FAQs About Talking About Time in Italian
Q: What’s the difference between “Che ora è?” and “Che tempo fa?”
A: Che ora è? means “What time is it?”
Che tempo fa? means “What’s the weather like?” Very different!
Q: How do I say “on time” and “late”?
A:
In orario = on time
In ritardo = late
In anticipo = early
Q: Is “volta” feminine or masculine?
A: Volta is feminine.
Example: una volta, due volte, molte volte
Q: Can “ora” mean “now”?
A: Yes! Ora also means “now.”
Example: Lo faccio ora. – I’ll do it now.
Q: When should I use the 24-hour clock?
A: Use 24-hour time in formal or scheduled contexts (trains, hotels, appointments). Use 12-hour clock in casual conversation.
Ready to Master Italian—One Expression at a Time?
At Polyglottist Language Academy, we help learners go beyond the textbook and into the real logic of Italian. Whether it’s learning how to talk about time, express yourself naturally, or sound like a local, our courses are built around conversation, confidence, and culture.
We offer live online and in-person classes in Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, and beyond. Our small groups (3–6 students) and expert teachers make learning Italian engaging, immersive, and fun.
👉 Explore our Italian classes and sign up today.
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🕒 Time is precious—and in Italian, it has many names.
Master ora, tempo, volta, and orario, and you’re not just speaking better…
You’re thinking Italian.
A presto da Polyglottist! 🇮🇹