In German
um
Meaning: around; at (a clock time)
Example sentences
WirsitzenumdenTisch.
We sit around the table.
DiePartybeginntumachtUhr.
The party starts at eight o'clock.
ErläuftumdasHaus.
He runs around the house.
Grammar note
“Um” always takes Akkusativ. It has two common meanings: physically around something (“um den Tisch”), and clock time, “at” a specific hour (“um acht Uhr”).
Common mistake
Don't use “an” for clock times — German uses “um” for “at” a specific time (“um acht Uhr”), reserving “an” for days and dates (“am Montag”).
Quick check
Which preposition means “around”, and also “at” a clock time?
More words on this topic
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Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
How do I say “at 8 o'clock” in German?
“Um acht Uhr” — “um” is used for clock times.
How is “um” for time different from “an” for days?
“Um” pairs with a clock time (“um acht Uhr”); “an” pairs with a day or date (“am Montag”, “am ersten Mai”).