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When it comes to time, there are currently two most common systems for reckoning: the 12-hour clock or the 24-hour clock. Using the 12-hour clock, in Vietnamese, to distinguish between day and night, we refer to 12 o'clock as noon and midnight. However, with the 24-hour system, it is less likely to cause confusion because 12 o'clock is noon while 24 o'clock (00:00) is midnight
To determine precisely whether 12 noon is AM or PM in English, let's first understand what PM and AM symbols mean in English. According to research, AM is an abbreviation for Ante-Meridiem (before the sun crosses the meridian) and PM is an abbreviation for Post-Meridiem (after the sun crosses the meridian). Geographically, at 12 noon, the sun is at its highest point in the sky and directly crosses the meridian. Following this explanation, we consider 12 noon as PM (12:00 PM) - the beginning of the afternoon, and 12 midnight as AM (12:00 AM) - the start of the morning.
For easier understanding and simplicity, people can remember:
AM: Used to denote the time span of the morning, from 12:00 AM (midnight) to before 11:59 in the morning.
PM: Used to denote the time span of the afternoon and evening, from 12:00 PM noon to 11:59:59 at night.
You can refer to the time format table based on the 12-hour and 24-hour systems as follows:
With the insights shared in the article above, Mytour has provided answers to whether 12 noon in English is AM or PM. We hope readers will no longer confuse these two time markers! Additionally, you can find more information on the meaning of Pre-G hours here.
In addition to AM and PM, timing by watch and by clock also frequently appear, commonly referred to by elders. To minimize confusion, refer to timing by watch here.
- Further reading: Timing by watch
