On the hour Meaning in English
expression
ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈaʊɝ/, /ˈaʊɹ
ON thuh OW-er
ˈɒn/ /ðə, ði/ /ˈaʊə
ON thuh OW-uh
Definition
At exactly the beginning of an hour, when the minute hand is on 12 (for example, 2:00, 3:00, not 2:15 or 3:45).
Usage & Nuances
Commonly used for schedules, instructions, and radio/TV announcements. It means 'exactly' at that hour. Do not use it for times like 4:15 or 7:30; use it only for full hours. Often paired with verbs like 'leave', 'start', or 'broadcast'.
Spanish: en puntoPortuguese (BR): em pontoPortuguese (PT): em pontoChinese (Simplified): 整点Chinese (Traditional): 整點Hindi: घंटे के ठीक समयArabic: عند رأس الساعةBengali: ঠিক ঘণ্টা বাজলে - প্রতি ঘণ্টার শুরুতেRussian: ровно в начале часа - в начале каждого часаJapanese: ちょうど○時に - 毎正時にVietnamese: đúng giờ - vào đầu mỗi giờKorean: 정각에 - 매 정시에Turkish: tam saatinde - saat başındaUrdu: عین گھنٹے پر - ہر گھڑی کے شروع میںIndonesian: tepat jam - setiap jam tepat
Example Sentences
The train leaves on the hour every morning.
basic
The meeting will start on the hour.
basic
The bells ring on the hour.
basic
Our buses depart on the hour, so be ready a few minutes early.
natural
They do a news update on the hour every hour.
natural
Your favorite show will air on the hour tonight, don’t miss it!
natural