To give the time French uses the fixed phrase il est + the number + heure(s). This il does not mean "he"; it is a dummy subject with no meaning. Ask the time with Quelle heure est-il ?
Examples
- Quelle heure est-il ?
- What time is it?
- Il est deux heures.
- It is two o'clock.
- Il est huit heures et demie.
- It is half past eight.
The mistake to avoid
The word heures cannot be left out — "il est deux" is not French.
Where this fits in
Numbers, days, time, French A1: Count, talk about days and months, give the time, and handle numbers in real situations.