Breakdown of Wir treffen uns um genau zwei Uhr.
wir
we
zwei
two
treffen
to meet
uns
us
um
at (time)
die Uhr
the clock / o'clock
genau
exactly / precise, exact
Questions & Answers about Wir treffen uns um genau zwei Uhr.
Why do we use um to mean 'at'?
In English, we say 'at' a certain time, but in German, you always use the preposition um before a specific clock time. So, 'at two o'clock' translates to um zwei Uhr.
Why is it zwei Uhr and not zwei Stunden?
In German, Uhr is used for specific points in time on the clock ('o'clock'), while Stunde is used for a duration or length of time ('hour'). Since we are naming a specific time on the clock, we use Uhr.
Why is the word uns in this sentence?
uns means 'us' or 'ourselves.' In German, the verb treffen (to meet) is often used with a reflexive pronoun when people meet each other. So Wir treffen uns literally means 'We meet ourselves,' which is the natural way to say 'We are meeting.'
How does the word genau work here?
genau means 'exactly.' It usually sits right next to the time phrase it describes. Both um genau zwei Uhr and genau um zwei Uhr are perfectly fine ways to say 'at exactly two o'clock.'
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