Italian Time Prepositions: Using 'in', 'on', and 'at' for Times, Days, and Dates
Learn how to say 'at 7 p.m.', 'on Monday', and 'in July' in Italian using the correct prepositions for times, days, and dates.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In English, we use 'at' for clock times, 'on' for days and dates, and 'in' for months, years, and seasons. Italian works similarly but with its own prepositions: 'alle' for times, 'di' for days, and 'in' for months and seasons. This lesson will teach you the exact phrases to use for scheduling, making appointments, and talking about when things happen. You'll learn the patterns and common exceptions, so you can confidently express time in Italian.
By the end, you can…
- say what time something happens using 'alle' + time.
- say which day something happens using 'di' + day.
- say which month or season something happens using 'in' + month/season.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
alle sette di sera
at 7 p.m.
AHL-leh SET-teh dee SEH-rah
Use 'alle' for all clock times except 1 o'clock (use 'all'una'). 'Di sera' means in the evening.
di lunedì
on Monday
dee loo-neh-DEE
Use 'di' before days of the week for recurring events (habitual). For a single, one-off event, the bare day is standard: 'lunedì' (on Monday).
in luglio
in July
een LOO-lyoh
Use 'in' for months and seasons. 'In estate' means in summer.
il primo maggio
on May 1st
eel PREE-moh MAH-joh
For dates, use the article 'il' + cardinal number + month: 'il primo maggio' for the 1st, but 'il 5 marzo' (not an ordinal) for other dates.
nel 2025
in 2025
nel duh-MEE-lah ven-tee-CHEN-kweh
Use 'nel' for years. It combines 'in' + 'il'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
For times, use 'alle' + number + 'di' + part of day: 'alle tre di pomeriggio' (at 3 p.m.). For days, use 'di' + day for recurring events: 'di martedì' (on Tuesdays); for a single event, the bare day is standard: 'martedì' (on Tuesday). For months and seasons, use 'in' + month/season: 'in gennaio' (in January), 'in inverno' (in winter). For dates, use 'il' + cardinal number + month: 'il 5 marzo' (on March 5th), but 'il primo marzo' for the 1st. For years, use 'nel' + year: 'nel 2020' (in 2020).
When to use it
Use these prepositions when answering 'Quando?' (When?). For example: 'Quando parti? Parto venerdì.' (When are you leaving? I'm leaving on Friday.) 'Quando è il concerto? È il 10 giugno.' (When is the concert? It's on June 10th.) Note: For 'at night', say 'di notte'; for 'in the morning', 'di mattina'; for 'in the afternoon', 'di pomeriggio'. These use 'di', not 'in'.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
A che ora è la riunione?
What time is the meeting?ah keh OH-rah eh lah ree-oo-NYOH-nehÈ alle dieci di mattina, mercoledì.
It's at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.eh AHL-leh DYEH-chee dee maht-TEE-nah, mer-koh-leh-DEEE in agosto?
And in August?eh een ah-GOHS-tohIn agosto siamo in vacanza, ma il 15 agosto c'è una festa.
In August we are on vacation, but on August 15th there is a party.een ah-GOHS-toh SYAH-moh een vah-KAHN-tsah, mah eel KWEEN-dee-chee ah-GOHS-toh cheh OO-nah FEHS-tahA little context goes a long way
In Italian, days of the week and months are not capitalized. When writing dates, the day comes before the month: '3 aprile' (April 3rd). In formal writing, you might see 'il 3 aprile'. Also, Italians often use the 24-hour clock in writing and formal speech, but the 12-hour clock with 'di mattina', 'di pomeriggio', 'di sera', 'di notte' is common in conversation.
One thing to watch for
Using 'a' instead of 'alle' for times, e.g., 'a sette' instead of 'alle sette'.
Try this instead: Always use 'alle' for clock times except 1 o'clock: 'alle sette' (at 7), but 'all'una' (at 1). 'A' is used for places, not times.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'on Tuesday' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
martedì
For a single event, the bare day is standard: 'martedì'. 'Di martedì' means 'on Tuesdays' (recurring). 'Il martedì' also means 'on Tuesdays' (recurring).
2Translate: 'The party is at 9 p.m. on Saturday.'
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La festa è alle nove di sera, sabato.
'Alle nove' for time, 'di sera' for evening, and the bare day 'sabato' for a single event. 'Di sabato' would mean 'on Saturdays' (recurring).
3How do you say 'in December'?
Show a sample answer
in dicembre
Use 'in' + month. 'In dicembre' is correct. Note that months are not capitalized in Italian.
Remember: 'alle' for clock times, 'di' for days and parts of the day, 'in' for months and seasons, 'il' for dates, and 'nel' for years. Practice these patterns to talk about when things happen.
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