Language/Yue-chinese/Vocabulary/Telling-Time

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Yue ChineseVocabulary0 to A1 Course → Numbers and Time → Telling Time

Introduction[edit | edit source]

In this lesson, we will delve into the topic of telling time in Yue Chinese. Being able to tell time is an essential skill in any language, and Yue Chinese is no exception. By mastering the vocabulary and phrases related to time, you will be able to communicate effectively when discussing schedules, making appointments, or simply asking for the time. In this comprehensive lesson, we will cover everything you need to know about telling time in Yue Chinese, including hours, minutes, and asking for the time. Let's get started!

Vocabulary[edit | edit source]

To begin, let's learn the basic vocabulary related to telling time in Yue Chinese. Familiarize yourself with the following words and phrases:

Yue Chinese Pronunciation English Translation
時鐘 si4 zung1 clock
zung1 hour
分鐘 fan1 zung1 minute
點鐘 dim2 zung1 o'clock
jat1 one
loeng5 two
saam1 three
sei3 four
ng5 five
luk6 six
cat1 seven
baat3 eight
gau2 nine
sap6 ten
十一 sap6 jat1 eleven
十二 sap6 loeng5 twelve

Take some time to practice the pronunciation of these words and phrases. Pay attention to the tones in Yue Chinese, as they play a crucial role in conveying meaning accurately. Now that you are familiar with the vocabulary, let's move on to understanding how to tell time in Yue Chinese.

Telling Time in Yue Chinese[edit | edit source]

In Yue Chinese, telling time follows a specific pattern. First, we state the hour, then the minutes. To express the hour, we use the word "鐘" (zung1), which means "hour." To express the minutes, we use the word "分鐘" (fan1 zung1), which means "minute." Let's look at some examples:

- 一點鐘 (jat1 dim2 zung1): One o'clock - 兩點鐘 (loeng5 dim2 zung1): Two o'clock - 三點鐘 (saam1 dim2 zung1): Three o'clock - 四點鐘 (sei3 dim2 zung1): Four o'clock - 五點鐘 (ng5 dim2 zung1): Five o'clock - 六點鐘 (luk6 dim2 zung1): Six o'clock - 七點鐘 (cat1 dim2 zung1): Seven o'clock - 八點鐘 (baat3 dim2 zung1): Eight o'clock - 九點鐘 (gau2 dim2 zung1): Nine o'clock - 十點鐘 (sap6 dim2 zung1): Ten o'clock

To express the minutes, we simply add the number of minutes after the hour. For example:

- 一點十分 (jat1 dim2 sap6 fan1): One ten (one ten minutes past one o'clock) - 兩點十五分 (loeng5 dim2 sap6 ng5 fan1): Two fifteen (two fifteen minutes past two o'clock) - 三點二十分 (saam1 dim2 ji6 sap6 fan1): Three twenty (three twenty minutes past three o'clock) - 四點三十五分 (sei3 dim2 saam1 sap6 ng5 fan1): Four thirty-five (four thirty-five minutes past four o'clock)

Take note of the word "十" (sap6), which means "ten" and is used to indicate the number of minutes in multiples of ten. Additionally, the word "分" (fan1) is used to indicate "minutes."

When the minutes are less than ten, we use the word "幾" (gei2), which means "a few," followed by the number of minutes. For example:

- 一點幾 (jat1 dim2 gei2): Around one (a few minutes past one o'clock) - 兩點幾 (loeng5 dim2 gei2): Around two (a few minutes past two o'clock) - 三點幾 (saam1 dim2 gei2): Around three (a few minutes past three o'clock)

By using "幾" (gei2), we convey the idea of approximate time when the minutes are less than ten.

Asking for the Time[edit | edit source]

Now that you know how to tell time in Yue Chinese, it's important to also learn how to ask for the time. To ask someone what time it is, you can use the following question:

- 請問現在幾點? (cing2 man6 jin6 zoi6 gei2 dim2): Excuse me, what time is it now?

This question is a polite way to inquire about the current time. You can use it when you want to know the time from someone else. Let's practice a dialogue to see this question in action:

A: 請問現在幾點? B: 現在是八點三十分。

A: Excuse me, what time is it now? B: It's eight thirty.

By using this question, you can easily ask for the time in Yue Chinese. It's a useful phrase to have in your repertoire when you need to know the time in a specific situation.

Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]

Telling time in Yue Chinese is closely related to Chinese culture and customs. Let's explore some cultural insights and interesting facts about telling time in Yue Chinese.

In Chinese culture, time is often viewed in a more flexible manner compared to Western cultures. While punctuality is still valued, there is a greater emphasis on the present moment and the flow of events. This can be seen in the way Chinese people express time. For example, instead of saying "ten thirty," a Chinese speaker may say "half past ten" to convey the idea of time flowing continuously.

Another interesting aspect of telling time in Chinese culture is the association of certain numbers with good or bad luck. For example, the number four (四) is considered unlucky because it sounds similar to the word for "death" (死) in Chinese. As a result, it is often avoided when expressing time. Instead of saying "four o'clock," a Chinese speaker may choose to say "three fifty" or "around four" to avoid the unlucky number.

It's also worth noting that the concept of time in Chinese culture extends beyond the clock. Chinese people often use natural phenomena and astronomical events to measure time. For example, the traditional Chinese calendar is based on the lunar cycle, and important festivals and holidays are determined by the position of the moon and other celestial bodies. This deep connection to nature is reflected in the way time is perceived and expressed in Chinese culture.

Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now that you have learned how to tell time in Yue Chinese, it's time to put your knowledge into practice. Here are some exercises to help you reinforce the concepts covered in this lesson:

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with the correct Yue Chinese words.

1. 八點__ (dim2 zung1): Eight o'clock. 2. 三點__ (dim2 zung1): Three o'clock. 3. 兩點__ (dim2 zung1): Two o'clock. 4. 一點__ (dim2 zung1): One o'clock. 5. 五點__ (dim2 zung1): Five o'clock.

Exercise 2: Translate the Time Translate the following time expressions from English to Yue Chinese.

1. Six fifty: __ 2. Nine fifteen: __ 3. Ten twenty-five: __ 4. Seven forty: __ 5. Twelve thirty-five: __

Exercise 3: Dialogue Practice Practice the following dialogue with a partner. Take turns asking and answering the questions.

A: 請問現在幾點? B: 現在是五點二十分。

Solutions: Exercise 1: 1. 十 (sap6) 2. 二 (ji6) 3. 十一 (sap6 jat1) 4. 七 (cat1) 5. 九 (gau2)

Exercise 2: 1. 六點五十分 (luk6 dim2 ng5 sap6 fan1) 2. 九點十五分 (gau2 dim2 sap6 ng5 fan1) 3. 十點二十五分 (sap6 dim2 ji6 sap6 ng5 fan1) 4. 七點四十分 (cat1 dim2 sei3 sap6 fan1) 5. 十二點三十五分 (sap6 ji6 dim2 saam1 sap6 ng5 fan1)

Exercise 3: A: 請問現在幾點? B: 現在是五點二十分。

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to tell time in Yue Chinese. By mastering the vocabulary and phrases covered in this lesson, you can confidently express and understand time-related information in conversations. Remember to practice regularly to reinforce your knowledge and improve your fluency. Keep up the great work!

Table of Contents - Yue Chinese Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Greetings and Introductions


Basic Sentence Structure


Numbers and Time


Pronouns and Possessives


Family and Relationships


Adjectives and Adverbs


Food and Dining


Prepositions and Conjunctions


Travel and Transportation


Verb Tenses and Aspects


Yue Chinese Customs and Traditions


Shopping and Services


Comparatives and Superlatives


Yue Chinese Art and Literature



Other Lessons[edit | edit source]



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