Difference between revisions of "Structure of times (basic)"
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Time in Chinese, just like in English, is expressed by stating the hour first, and then the minute. | Time in Chinese, just like in English, is expressed by stating the hour first, and then the minute. | ||
| − | == On the | + | == On the Hour == |
The time of day in Chinese is formed with a [[Structure of numbers|number]] 1 to 12 (一 (yī) to 十二 (shí-èr)) followed by 点 (diăn). This 点 (diăn) is equivalent to ''o'clock'' in English. In China, people generally use a twelve-hour clock, preceded by 上午 (shàngwŭ) for "a.m." or 下午 (xiàwŭ) for "p.m." when necessary. | The time of day in Chinese is formed with a [[Structure of numbers|number]] 1 to 12 (一 (yī) to 十二 (shí-èr)) followed by 点 (diăn). This 点 (diăn) is equivalent to ''o'clock'' in English. In China, people generally use a twelve-hour clock, preceded by 上午 (shàngwŭ) for "a.m." or 下午 (xiàwŭ) for "p.m." when necessary. | ||
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Note that '''two o'clock is 两点''' (liǎng diǎn), not 二点 (èr diǎn). (For more information on when to use 两 (liǎng) vs. 二 (èr), see [["Er" and "liang"]]). | Note that '''two o'clock is 两点''' (liǎng diǎn), not 二点 (èr diǎn). (For more information on when to use 两 (liǎng) vs. 二 (èr), see [["Er" and "liang"]]). | ||
| − | == Half | + | == Half Hours == |
Half hours are added after 点 (diăn) and are indicated with 半 (bàn). | Half hours are added after 点 (diăn) and are indicated with 半 (bàn). | ||
Revision as of 10:03, 13 January 2017
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Time in Chinese, just like in English, is expressed by stating the hour first, and then the minute.
Contents
On the Hour
The time of day in Chinese is formed with a number 1 to 12 (一 (yī) to 十二 (shí-èr)) followed by 点 (diăn). This 点 (diăn) is equivalent to o'clock in English. In China, people generally use a twelve-hour clock, preceded by 上午 (shàngwŭ) for "a.m." or 下午 (xiàwŭ) for "p.m." when necessary.
Structure
(Date and/or time of day +) x 点
Examples
If you want to include more specific information, start with the day or date, followed by the general time of day, with the exact clock time last. (This is the big-to-small pattern.)
- 九 点9 o'clock
- 上午 七 点7 o'clock a.m.
- 下午 四 点4 o'clock p.m.
- 中午 十二 点 12 o'clock noon
- 明天 晚上 七 点7 o'clock p.m. tomorrow evening
- 9 月 9 号 早上 六 点September 9th, 6 o'clock a.m.
- 星期三 上午 九 点Wednesday at 9 o'clock a.m.
Note that two o'clock is 两点 (liǎng diǎn), not 二点 (èr diǎn). (For more information on when to use 两 (liǎng) vs. 二 (èr), see "Er" and "liang").
Half Hours
Half hours are added after 点 (diăn) and are indicated with 半 (bàn).
Structure
x 点 + 半
Examples
- 五 点 半5:30
- 下午 两 点 半2:30 p.m.
- 星期天 上午 十 点 半 Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
- 昨天 晚上 七 点 半7:30 yesterday evening
- 今天 下午 四 点 半4:30 p.m. this afternoon.
As a beginner, that should be all you need. If you've mastered all of these structures and want to get a little more advanced, see structure of times (advanced).
