Time is an integral part of our everyday life.  It helps us to plan the day and not to be late for some important events. If you live in a Russian-speaking environment, we think you have often wondered how to ask the time in Russian. Therefore, this article is for you!

Let’s start with the most simple and common questions which you can ask others when you need to know the time.

When addressing colleagues, friends, family members, or other people you know:

• Сколько времени?

[Skol’-ko vrye-mye-ni?] What time is it?

• Сколько времени сейчас?

[Skol’-ko vrye-mye-ni sey-chas?] What time is it now?

• Какое время?

[Ka-ko-ye vrye-mya?] What is the time?

When addressing people, you do not know, it is important to remember about being polite. You should start your question with Извините [iz-win-yi-tye](excuse me) and/or add Пожалуйста [po-zha-luy-sta] (please) at the end.

• Извините, сколько времени?

[Iz-win-yi-tye, skol’-ko vrye-mye-ni?] Excuse me, what time is it?

• Скажите, пожалуйста, который час?

[Ska-zhit-ye, po-zha-luy-sta, ko-to-riy chas?] What’s the time, please?

• Извините, скажите, пожалуйста, сколько времени сейчас?

[Iz-win-yi-tye, ska-zhit-ye, po-zha-luy-sta, sko-lyko vrye-mye-ni sey-chas?]

Excuse me, what time is it now, please?

Let’s consider a few more options of how to ask the time:

• Могли бы вы сказать мне время, пожалуйста?

[Mo-glyi by vy ska-zat’y mnye vrye-mya, po-zha-luy-sta?] Could you tell mе the time, please?

• Вы знаете, который сейчас час?

[Vy zna-yet’-ye, ko-to-riy sey-chas chas?] Do you know what time it is now?

• Могли бы вы сказать мне точное время, пожалуйста?

[Mo-glyi by vy ska-zat’y mnye toch-no-ye vrye-mya, po-zha-luy-sta?]

Could you tell me the right time, please?

These are the simplest and most common phrases you can use in your everyday life when you need to know the time.