Lesson 6- Numbers and Times
Numbers and times
Reading timetables, understanding platforms, saying when your train leaves.
Italy runs on the 24-hour clock. Not just trains — buses, restaurants, museums, everything. Once you get it, it’s actually easier than AM/PM.
This lesson covers the numbers you need, how to read and say times, and the key phrases for transport situations.
Numbers you’ll actually need
You already know 0–10. Here are the ones that matter on departure boards.
Two ways to say the time
Italian has two systems — and knowing which one to use matters.
On boards, tickets, timetables — 24-hour clock
Train departures, bus schedules, museum opening hours, theatre shows. You’ll see it written as 14:35. You read it exactly as it looks.
In conversation — 12-hour + time of day
In everyday speech Italians say alle otto, alle due. To avoid confusion they add di mattina, di pomeriggio, di sera or di notte.
Phrases for transport
Quick check
You see 15:25 on a departure board. How do you read it aloud?
The announcer says: “Binario undici.” Which platform?
How do you ask “What time does it leave?”
21:00 in words is: