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Die Sprechstunde beginnt um neun Uhr.

Die Sprechstunde beginnt um neun Uhr.
The consultation starts at nine o’clock.
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Questions & Answers about Die Sprechstunde beginnt um neun Uhr.

What does the word Sprechstunde mean, exactly?
It means a professional’s consultation hours—times when you can come see a doctor, professor, counselor, etc. For academics it’s often office hours; for medical practices it’s the times they see patients (sometimes without appointment).
Why is it die Sprechstunde? What gender is it?
It’s feminine. In German compounds, the last element determines gender; Stunde (hour) is feminine, so die Sprechstunde. Plural: die Sprechstunden.
Why is Sprechstunde capitalized?
All German nouns are capitalized. Sprechstunde is a single compound noun (from Sprech- + Stunde), so it’s capitalized.
Why is it beginnt and not begin?
Beginnt is the 3rd-person singular present of beginnen. The subject is die Sprechstunde (she/it), so you use the -t ending: sie beginnt. Note: the noun der Beginn (the beginning) is a different word.
Can I say fängt an instead of beginnt?
Yes. Die Sprechstunde fängt um neun Uhr an is fine and a bit more colloquial. Beginnen is slightly more formal; both are common.
Is the word order correct? Could I put the time first?

Yes, both are correct:

  • Die Sprechstunde beginnt um neun Uhr.
  • Um neun Uhr beginnt die Sprechstunde. German keeps the verb in the second position. Putting the time first emphasizes the time.
How would I make a yes–no question or a wh-question?
  • Yes–no: Beginnt die Sprechstunde um neun Uhr?
  • Wh-question: Wann beginnt die Sprechstunde? — Sie beginnt um neun Uhr.
Why is it um neun Uhr and not am neun Uhr?
For clock times, German uses um: um neun Uhr. Use am (an dem) for days/dates/parts of the day: am Montag, am 9. Januar, am Morgen.
What case does um take here?
Um governs the accusative. You don’t see a case ending in um neun Uhr, but with an article you would: um die Mittagszeit (accusative).
Can I leave out Uhr?
Often, yes in speech: um neun. In writing or for clarity, include Uhr: um neun Uhr.
Why is it neun Uhr and not neunte Uhr?
German uses cardinal numbers for clock times: neun Uhr. Ordinals (neunte) are for dates/ordering: am neunten Mai.
How do I say 9 p.m. in German?
  • Neutral/formal: um 21 Uhr (24-hour clock is common in writing).
  • Conversational: um neun Uhr abends.
How do I express a time span, like from 9 to 11?

Use von … bis …:

  • von neun bis elf (Uhr)
  • von 9 bis 11 Uhr For “starting at 9 (and onward)”, use ab neun Uhr. That’s different from um neun Uhr (exactly at 9).
Is Uhr plural after numbers, like in English “9 hours”?
No. For clock times, Uhr stays singular: neun Uhr. The plural Uhren refers to clocks/watches as objects.
What’s the difference between Uhr and Stunde?
  • Uhr: time of day (“o’clock”) and the device “clock/watch”.
  • Stunde: a duration of one hour. Note: Sprechstunde is a set consultation period; it need not be exactly one hour long.
How do you pronounce the sentence?

Rough guide:

  • Die [diː]
  • Sprechstunde [ˈʃpʁɛçˌʃtʊndə] (initial sp = “shp”; ch as in the “ich” sound [ç])
  • beginnt [bəˈgɪnt]
  • um [ʊm]
  • neun [nɔʏ̯n] (eu = [ɔʏ], like “oy”)
  • Uhr [uːɐ̯] Stress: Die SPRECHstunde beGINNT um NEUN Uhr.
Is the Die at the start “she,” or “the”?
Here it’s the definite article die = the. It’s capitalized only because it starts the sentence (not because it’s a pronoun).
Can I say Öffnungszeiten instead of Sprechstunde?
Not here. Öffnungszeiten are a business’s opening hours. Sprechstunde is when you can consult a person (doctor, professor). Doctors also use Sprechzeiten.
How would I say “The office hours start at 9 on Mondays”?
  • Habitual: Die Sprechstunde beginnt montags um neun (Uhr).
  • One specific Monday: Die Sprechstunde beginnt am Montag um neun Uhr.
Does Sprechstunde need an article? Could I drop die?
In standard sentences, countable nouns take an article: Die Sprechstunde beginnt … On signs/notes you might see articleless headings (Sprechstunde: 9–11 Uhr), but that’s telegraphic style.
Are there natural alternatives to this sentence?

Yes:

  • Die Sprechstunde ist ab neun Uhr. (from 9 onward)
  • Die Sprechstunde findet um neun Uhr statt. (takes place)
  • Die Sprechstunde ist von neun bis elf Uhr. (is from 9 to 11)