In the modern world there are more than 200 countries, and each country has its own customs and traditions that shape the way of life of people and their habits. Little things in culture, it would seem, should not at all affect the understanding of man, but this is not so. We do not notice minor things, although they are fraught with a lot of interesting and unusual. Such trifles include differences in time formats.
In this article we will understand what time formats exist, what is the difference between them? Why can not introduce a single time in the world? How to understand the notation of different formats? What is the designation of time in English?
Time formats
We live in a country where 24 hours are used to indicate time. This format is called 24-hour. But there are also countries that use only 12 hours a day. The dial uses only 12 hours.
What is also interesting is that most people who live in a 24-hour format often use only 12 hours. For example, we do not say “I will be at 19”, but “I will be at 7” or “I will be by 7 pm”.
Where did the two formats come from? It is clear that 24 hours is the duration of the day. But why 12 hours, not 4 or 6? The format, when the day is divided into two parts of 12 hours, came from the Ancient World. In Mesopotamia, Rome and Ancient Egypt, sundials were used during the day and water hours at night. Some countries did not begin to change the knowledge gained by their ancestors, but left a 12-hour format.
As for the USA, 2 formats are appropriate there. Most often, 12 hours are used, but if you say, for example, “20 hours,” you probably will not be understood, since 24 hours is a military format.
Time stamp in English
Which countries use the 12 and 24 hour clock? In English-speaking countries, the 12-hour format is most often used, so the abbreviations were originally invented. The time designation in English is pm (from the Latin Post meridiem - "afternoon") and am (from the Latin Ante meridiem - "before noon"). And if the Americans somehow understand you, then another English-speaking world will prove that there are no more than 12 hours. Am is consumed from 12 nights to 12 days, but for pm it is the other way around. For example, if you want to say 15:00, it will be 3pm, and 1am - 1am. The designation of time in English is only this.
It is rather difficult to remember these designations without constant repetition. Want to know how easy it is to keep them in your memory? Just put on your phone, tablet or computer (which you most often use) a twelve-hour format. Usually a couple of days is enough to get used to. Most people who have switched to the format of 12 hours a day use it that way.
What about the time stamp in English on a watch? Like us, the dial also has 12 hours. And the difference is in electronic media. All electrical devices use twelve hours, but we have all 24.
Which countries use the 12 and 24 hour clock?
As mentioned above, the world is conditionally divided into countries that use twenty-four hours to indicate time, and states where the 12-hour format.
Countries with a 24-hour format include most of the world, for example, Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Japan. In Australia, New Zealand and the USA (that is, in countries where the time designation is in English) use 12 hours a day. This is proved by the fact that it is inconvenient for English-speaking people to say, for example, “16 hours”.
There are also countries where both options are acceptable. Such are Greece, Brazil, France, Great Britain, Albania and Turkey.
But what about Canada? As you know, in Canada there are two official languages - English and French. The country is divided by language criterion into areas - provinces where they speak French, and territories with a predominant English language. All of Canada uses the 12-hour format, as it has long been a colony of Great Britain, but in the province of Quebec, people often use the 24-hour format.
Conclusion
So, we figured out that there are two time formats - 12 and 24-hour. Often in English, 12 hours are used, for which special abbreviations were invented. The designation of time in English occurs with the help of four letters - am (before noon) and pm (after noon). To better remember where, what, and when to use, you need to install a twelve-hour time format on your phone, tablet or computer. If you want to go to a country where such a format is used, for example, to the USA, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, it is worthwhile to prepare in advance to avoid misunderstanding.