3 Ways to Read the Watch

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3 Ways to Read the Watch
3 Ways to Read the Watch

Video: 3 Ways to Read the Watch

Video: 3 Ways to Read the Watch
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With a little time and dedication, it's easy to learn to read the time on the clock. Analog models are divided into a circle and have hands that indicate specific details: hours, minutes and seconds. In the case of digital clocks, just look at the screen. In addition, some accessories also have Roman numerals and use 12h and military formats, which can confuse people. However, you can decipher all these "riddles" with the tips in this article.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Reading the Time on an Analog Clock

Read a Clock Step 1
Read a Clock Step 1

Step 1. Understand how the clock is divided

Every clock is divided into 12 sections or parts. At the top is the 12. To his right is the 1. Following the numbers in a clockwise direction (from right to left), you arrive at 12 again.

  • These numbers represent the hours.
  • The sections between the numbers represent segments of five minutes each. Sometimes there are some thin lines that divide such segments, representing the seconds.
Read a Clock Step 2
Read a Clock Step 2

Step 2. Use the smaller hand to read the hours

Most watches have two hands; the little one shows the time.

For example, if the smaller pointer points to 1, then it's 1:00 (morning or afternoon - read on to find out more)

Read a Clock Step 3
Read a Clock Step 3

Step 3. Use the long hand to read the minutes

Consult it to determine how many minutes have passed a certain hour.

  • When the smaller hand points to 12, it is 12:00 or 00:00. If the largest points to 1, it is 12:01.
  • You can also multiply the number pointed to by the smaller hand by 5 to calculate minutes. For example: if it is on 3, it is because 15 minutes have passed from that hour. If you can't count, add five minutes for each section of the clock. If the hand is at 1, five minutes have passed; if you are in 2, ten have passed, etc.
  • If the larger pointer is between two numbers, estimate the time. For example: if it is between three and four, it is because between 17 and 18 minutes have passed.
Read a Clock Step 4
Read a Clock Step 4

Step 4. Combine the two times to speak the time

When you determine the hour and minutes, you will find the time. For example, if the smaller hand is pointed at 1 and the larger one at 3, it means 1:15 am (a quarter past one, in the morning or in the evening).

Read a Clock Step 5
Read a Clock Step 5

Step 5. Learn the difference between AM and PM (12h system)

AM and PM are part of the system used in countries like the United States, not very common in Brazil - but still used in certain situations. You can't tell the difference just by looking at the clock: you must know where the day is. Between 00:00 and 12:00, it is AM; from 12:01 to 23:59, it's PM.

For example, if it's morning and the longest hand points to 9 and the shortest to 12, it's 9:00 AM

Method 2 of 3: Reading the Time on a Digital Clock

Read a Clock Step 6
Read a Clock Step 6

Step 1. Read the first number to determine the time

Digital watches feature two numbers, usually separated by a colon. The first represents the hour. If it's 2, for example, it's 2:00.

Read a Clock Step 7
Read a Clock Step 7

Step 2. Read the number after the colon to determine the minutes

For example: at 1:11, it's been 11 minutes since that hour started.

Read a Clock Step 8
Read a Clock Step 8

Step 3. Combine the two times to tell the time

After reading both numbers, you will know what time it is. If the clock reads 2:11, it's two-eleven.

Read a Clock Step 9
Read a Clock Step 9

Step 4. Determine if it is AM or PM (12h system)

Some digital clocks (especially imported ones) tell you whether it's AM or PM. If this is not the case with your watch, look at what time of day it is: AM is for dawn and morning; PM is for afternoon and evening.

Method 3 of 3: Learning to Read Time on Various Clocks

Read a Clock Step 10
Read a Clock Step 10

Step 1. Understand how Roman numerals work

Some watches carry these numbers, so it's important to learn from 1 to 12. The I stands for the 1; the V represents the 5; and the X represents 10. If one symbol appears before another, it is because it is subtracted; if it appears later, it is added.

  • 1, 2 and 3 are respectively I, II and III. 4 is IV (the I is subtracted from the V, which represents 5).
  • 5 is V and the numbers between 6 and 8 are marked by adding the I in front: VI for 6, VII for 7, VIII for 8.
  • 10 is X; 11 and 12 are represented in the same way as above: with an I and II in front of the X, respectively.
Read a Clock Step 11
Read a Clock Step 11

Step 2. Read a clock without numbers

Not every clock has numbers: some have symbols for the hours. Starting at the top, memorize what the 12. Then scroll to the right and count 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. to find out which symbol represents each hour.

Read a Clock Step 12
Read a Clock Step 12

Step 3. Convert military system time to civil time

Some digital clocks are written in the military system (something not so common in Brazil, but, like AM and PM, which can be found), but it is not difficult to make the conversion. From 1pm in the afternoon, the system works the same way. After the afternoon, you need to think a little.

  • Numbers less than 10 are marked with a leading zero. For example: 9 pm would be 0900.
  • Subtract 1200 from the hour to determine times that do not start with zero. For example: 1300 minus 1200 is 100. So 1300 is equal to 13h.

Tips

If there is a third, faster hand, it represents seconds. It's not so normal to include these details when talking about the time

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