As an expert in the field of timekeeping and chronometry, I've spent a significant amount of time studying the various ways in which time is expressed and understood across different cultures and languages. When it comes to the question of "quarter past" in time, we're delving into the common terminology used to describe specific minutes past the hour.

In English, the way we describe the time can vary depending on the minutes that have passed since the hour began. Here's a breakdown of the standard terms:


1. On the hour: This is straightforward—when the minute hand is at 12, it's exactly on the hour.


2. Fifteen minutes past the hour: This is referred to as "quarter past" or simply "fifteen." The term "quarter" comes from the fact that there are four quarters in an hour, and fifteen minutes represents one of those quarters.


3. Thirty minutes past the hour: This is "half past" or "thirty." It's called "half past" because it's halfway between the hour and the next hour.


4. Forty-five minutes past the hour: This is "quarter to" the next hour, or "fifteen to," or "forty-five." The term "quarter to" indicates that there is a quarter of an hour, or fifteen minutes, left until the next hour.

It's important to note that the use of "quarter past" and "quarter to" can be a bit confusing because they are essentially opposites. "Quarter past" means a quarter of an hour has passed since the hour began, whereas "quarter to" the next hour means a quarter of an hour remains until the next hour starts.

The phrase "quarter past" is used to describe 15 minutes after the hour because a standard hour is divided into four equal parts, each part being 15 minutes long. This division is a practical way to describe time that is neither close to the hour nor half an hour past it. It's a convenient midpoint that helps in quickly communicating the time without having to specify the exact minutes.

In terms of the provided reference, it's mostly accurate. When it's before the hour and more than 30 minutes have passed, we do say "to" the next hour. For instance, 45 minutes past the hour would be "quarter to" the next hour. There are indeed 60 minutes in an hour, and the terms "half past," "quarter past," and "quarter to" are all used to describe the time in a more conversational and less precise manner, which is perfectly acceptable in everyday communication.

Now, let's move on to the translation:

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When it's before the hour (after 30 minutes past) we say "to". There are 60 minutes in an hour. 30 minutes is half an hour, we say "half past" or "thirty". 15 minutes is quarter of an hour, we say "quarter past" or "fifteen" or "quarter to" or "forty-five".read more >>