Telling time
A clock is just a circle with two hands and twelve numbers. Once you know how to read it, you can tell time anywhere in the world.
The two hands
A traditional clock has two hands, and they are not the same:
- The short hand is the hour hand. It moves slowly.
- The long hand is the minute hand. It moves faster.
If a clock has a third, very thin hand zipping around, that is the seconds hand. We won't worry about it yet.
Reading the hour
When the long minute hand points straight up to the 12, the time is "something o'clock". You read the number where the short hour hand is pointing.
Short hand on 3, long hand on 12 → 3 o'clock.
Short hand on 8, long hand on 12 → 8 o'clock.
Reading the half hour
When the long minute hand points straight down to the 6, we are halfway around the clock. The time is "half past something". The hour is the number that the short hand has just passed.
Short hand just past 4, long hand on 6 → half past 4 (or 4:30).
Short hand just past 7, long hand on 6 → half past 7 (or 7:30).
Practice clocks
- 12 o'clock → both hands on top. Lunchtime!
- 6 o'clock → short hand on 6, long hand on 12. Maybe dinner.
- Half past 9 → short hand between 9 and 10, long hand on 6. Bed time, perhaps.