die Viertelstunde
quarter hour
A period of exactly 15 minutes.
EXAMPLE
Ich warte schon eine Viertelstunde auf den Bus.
I've been waiting for the bus for a quarter of an hour.
die Viertelstunde
quarter hour
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Meanings
die akademische Viertelstunde
academic quarter hour
Refers to the custom at universities of having lectures and other events begin 15 minutes after the full hour (cum tempore).
EXAMPLE
Die Vorlesung beginnt um 10 Uhr c.t., also mit der akademischen Viertelstunde.
The lecture begins at 10 o'clock c.t., that is, with the academic quarter hour.
Usage tips
Compound structure
The word is made up of 'Viertel' (quarter; one part of four) and 'Stunde' (hour). So it literally means 'a fourth part of an hour'.
EXAMPLE
Eine Viertelstunde hat 15 Minuten.
A quarter of an hour has 15 minutes.
Use with prepositions
'Viertelstunde' (quarter hour) is often combined with time prepositions to describe periods of time: 'in einer Viertelstunde' (in a quarter of an hour; future), 'vor einer Viertelstunde' (a quarter of an hour ago; past), or 'für eine Viertelstunde' (for a quarter of an hour; duration).
EXAMPLE
Der Film beginnt in einer Viertelstunde.
The film starts in a quarter of an hour.
Telling time
When giving the time, 'Viertelstunde' is often shortened to 'Viertel' and used without an article. You say 'Viertel nach drei' (quarter past three; 3:15) or 'Viertel vor vier' (quarter to four; 3:45).
EXAMPLE
Wir treffen uns um Viertel nach acht.
We're meeting at quarter past eight.
Cultural context
The 'akademische Viertelstunde' (academic quarter hour) is a tradition at many universities in German-speaking countries. An event that begins at 10:00 c.t. (cum tempore) actually does not start until 10:15.
EXAMPLE
Achtung, der Professor beginnt seine Vorlesung immer pünktlich und ohne die akademische Viertelstunde.
Careful, the professor always begins his lecture on time and without the academic quarter hour.
Compare with
Viertelstunde vs Viertel
quarter / district
Viertel and Viertelstunde can both refer to a duration of 15 minutes. Viertel is a shortened form whose meaning depends on the context and which is partly regional. Viertelstunde is unambiguous and generally understood, so without a clear time context it is the more suitable choice.
Viertelstunde
Die Pause dauert nur eine Viertelstunde.
The break lasts only a quarter of an hour.
Viertel
Die Pause dauert nur ein Viertel.
The break lasts only a quarter of an hour.
In real life
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