-1

How should I say this time: 00:00 in words?

For example if someone asks me about the exact time and I would like to answer him exactly what I see in my watch [00:00 or 00:01]. Let's suppose that I want to use in 24-hour system for my answer, Then what I should say correctly here?

"It is_____?"

The same question about 00:01.

I always refer to it as twelve, but I'm not sure if I'm right.

Improve this question
4
  • I have heard "zero hours" before. You can check the voice announcements on WWV (radio station) or similar time standard services to hear the format they use.
    – user3169
    Commented Mar 25, 2018 at 17:46
  • @user3169 I think that's military slang, e.g. Zero Dark Thirty which means "some unspecified time in the early morning". There are probably a lot of nuanced meanings that vary with context.
    – Andrew
    Commented Mar 25, 2018 at 19:56
  • @Andrew It would be better if the OP added some contextual/locale information.
    – user3169
    Commented Mar 25, 2018 at 23:07
  • Edited. context added.
    – Virtuous Legend
    Commented Apr 15, 2018 at 1:48

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
3

midnight (n): the middle of the night; specifically : 12 o'clock at night

00:01 would be "one minute after/past midnight".

Aside from the military and a few other services, most of the United States uses the 12-hour clock instead of the 24-hour clock. So we would say:

twelve midnight

and

twelve-oh-one in the morning

Improve this answer
5
  • For "00:00" you can also say "twelve midnight" and "twelve AM". For "12:01" you could also say "one minute after midnight".
    – m_a_s
    Commented Mar 25, 2018 at 18:12
  • I've spelled out 12:01 to explain what actual words you would say, there may be some regional variation (twelve zero one?)
    – James K
    Commented Mar 25, 2018 at 18:37
  • Then if I want to use 24-hour-system, the answer in numbers is necessary to be from 12-hour-system? Can I say for example "It is Oh, oh, oh, oh" [for 00:00] or It is "oh oh oh one" [for 00:01]?
    – Virtuous Legend
    Commented Apr 15, 2018 at 1:51
  • In addition, I think when you say it is midnight, for most people is not accurate time but it is approximate, like around 00:00 plus minus. Isn't it?
    – Virtuous Legend
    Commented Apr 15, 2018 at 1:58
  • @Archimedean_Point Sure, just like anywhere else in the world. Unless what you're doing requires precision, no one really cares if you're off by a few minutes.
    – Andrew
    Commented Apr 15, 2018 at 16:33

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .