15

What is the difference between um and am when used with times in German?

e.g.

um 8 Uhr

vs

am 8 Uhr

Jan
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alvas
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2 Answers2

24

Am 8 Uhr is wrong, um 8 Uhr is correct. The prepositions in use with times of the day are

  • um = exactly that time
  • gegen = approximately that time
  • vor = before/in advance
  • nach = after

The preposition am is used instead of um for dates e.g. am 9. April.

Note that um […] herum may also be used for expressing a loose time approximation (e.g. “Er wollte um den 10.7. herum mal vorbeikommen”).

Besides, um can also be used in non-time-circumstances, e.g. as a local preposition or as demanded by a verb.

Jan
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Toscho
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    I think it's worth noting that "am" derives from "an dem", whereas no such root form exists for "um" (to my knowledge). – 0xC0000022L Jul 10 '13 at 01:17
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    Toscho, @falkb, this post now needs further improvement. I agree that um can have the meaning of "about". But I was about rejecting this edit. As it stands now, it sounds like "um" means either "exactly" or "approximately". The logical question that must raise now: how can I determine what's meant. But in nearly all instances you can definitely tell what is meant, because the word "um" rarely (or never?) appears alone when "about" is meant but it's "um herum" (as in the example) or "so um". I think, Toscho, if you agree with the change you should add this to the answer, or rollback if not. – Em1 Jul 10 '13 at 07:08
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    other prepositions with time of day are "Ab 19 uhr" "Bis 19 Uhr" "seit 19 Uhr" "von 19 bis 20 Uhr"... so almost all time prepositions there are... I think this should be added, since the answer makes it sound as if the versions given are the only ones – Emanuel Jul 10 '13 at 10:53
  • @Toscho: thanks for improving my edit. Now it sounds better. – äüö Jul 10 '13 at 11:39
  • I wonder if things like Ich fahre das Verkehrsschild um. must be considered in the answer as well... or even Die Kuh lief um den Teich. – äüö Jul 10 '13 at 11:42
  • @falkb 1. The edits up until now aren't mine. 2. Your examples need not be added, as um is part of the verb or local preposition in these. – Toscho Jul 10 '13 at 15:56
  • @falkb: Wo ist der Kuhliefumdenteich nochmal, in welcher Stadt? – 0xC0000022L Jul 10 '13 at 18:38
  • @Toscho I also found the use of "am" in times of the day in this example: "Die jungen Männer wandern am Mittag." – user5389726598465 Apr 28 '17 at 13:27
  • @user135711 Yes, but in that case am Mittag is not a singular time of the day, but a timeframe around 12.00, like am Nachmittag or am Abend. If you want to specify exactly 12.00, then you'd use um Punkt Mittag and again, you have um instead of am. – Toscho Jul 05 '17 at 17:49
2

"Um" refers to a point in time. Um 8 Uhr.

"Am" refers to a general time-span. Am Morgen.

Tom Au
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