In German, “Uhr” and “Uhrzeit” are two words that relate to time but are used in slightly different contexts. Understanding the difference between these two terms will help you use them correctly when talking about time in German.
“Uhr” refers to the clock or the exact time of day. It is used when stating the hour or referring to the time shown on the clock. For example:
“Es ist drei Uhr.” (It’s 3 o’clock.)
“Die Uhr zeigt 7:30 Uhr.” (The clock shows 7:30.)
On the other hand, “Uhrzeit” refers to a specific moment or a certain time of day, and it is more focused on the act of telling time rather than the clock itself. For example:
“Welche Uhrzeit ist es?” (What time is it?)
“Kennen Sie die genaue Uhrzeit für das Treffen?” (Do you know the exact time for the meeting?)
In terms of time in German, “Uhr” is used when talking about hours in a more general sense, such as “Es ist halb fünf Uhr.” (It’s half-past five.) Meanwhile, “Uhrzeit” is used when asking for or specifying a precise time, especially when referring to schedules, appointments, or other exact times of events.