Learn how to ask and answer the question, "What time is it?"
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| Eric: Top 25 Chinese Questions You Need to Know - Lesson 17- What time is it? in Chinese. In each lesson of this 25 part series, you'll master a common question for Chinese learners, and then learn how to answer it like a native. You'll learn how these key phrases work by breaking them down into each component. Then through repetition and new vocabulary, you'll expand your understanding of the question, its answers, and any variations. |
| In this lesson, you'll learn how to respond to the common question “What time is it?” In Chinese this is |
| Cho:几点了? |
| The first word in the question is |
| Cho: 几点 |
| Eric: meaning “what time” in English. |
| Cho: (Slow, by syllable) 几点 |
| Eric: Listen again and repeat. |
| Cho: 几点 |
| Eric: This pattern of first introducing a word at natural speed, providing the translation, breaking it down, and then giving it again at natural speed will be repeated throughout the series. Try to speak aloud as often as possible. The next word in the question is |
| Cho: 了 |
| Eric: a particle indicating a state |
| Cho: (Slow, by syllable) 了 |
| Eric: Now repeat. |
| Cho: 了 |
| {Pause} |
| Listen to the entire question and repeat. |
| Cho: 几点了 |
| {pause} |
| Eric: It literally means “What time already?” |
| Eric: You will hear this common question again and again throughout your studies. Master the following pattern and responses to the question “What time is it?” |
| Cho: 十二点。 |
| Eric: "It's 12 o'clock,” or literally, “12 o’clock.” Again, slowly. Repeat the phrase. |
| Cho: (Slow) 十二点。 |
| {pause} |
| Eric: Let's break it down from the beginning. The first word: |
| Cho: 十二 |
| Eric: means “twelve. “ |
| Cho: (Slow, by syllable) 十二 |
| Eric: Now repeat |
| Cho: 十二 |
| {Pause} |
| Eric: And after that |
| Cho: 点 |
| Eric: meaning “o'clock.” |
| Cho: (Slow, by syllable) 点 |
| Eric:Now repeat. |
| Cho: 点 |
| {Pause} |
| Eric: Listen to the speaker say, “It's 12 o'clock,” and then repeat. |
| Cho: 十二点。 |
| {pause} |
| Eric: To use a different phrase, replace 12 with 9. |
| Cho: 九 |
| Eric: 9 |
| Cho: (slow) 九 (regular) 九 |
| Eric: Listen to the phrase again, this time with 9. |
| Cho: 九点。 |
| Eric: It mostly stays the same. Simply replace 12 with 9. |
| {pause} |
| Cho: 九点。 |
| Eric: To expand on the pattern, replace 9 with 6. |
| Cho: 六 |
| Eric: 6 |
| Cho: (slow) 六 (regular) 六 |
| Eric: Listen to the phrase again, this time with 6 o'clock. |
| Cho: 六点。 |
| Eric: It mostly stays the same. Simply replace 9 with 6. Say “It's 6 o'clock.” |
| {pause} |
| Cho: 六点。 |
| Eric: To expand on the pattern, replace 6 with 2. |
| Cho: 两 |
| Eric: 2 |
| Cho: (slow) 两 (regular) 两 |
| Eric: Listen to the phrase again, this time with 2 o'clock |
| Cho: 两点。 |
| Eric: It mostly stays the same. Simply replace 6 with 2. Say “It's 2 o'clock.” |
| {pause} |
| Cho: 两点。 |
| Eric: Now it's time for a quiz. Imagine you are visiting China and someone asks you what time it is. It's 12 o'clock. Respond to the question. |
| Cho: 几点了? (five seconds) 十二点。 |
| Eric: Now imagine it's 9 o'clock. Respond to the question. |
| Cho: 几点了? (five seconds) 九点。 |
| Eric: Imagine it's 6 o'clock. Answer the speaker's question. |
| Cho: 几点了? (five seconds) 六点。 |
| Eric: Imagine it's 2 o'clock. Respond to the question. |
| Cho: 几点了? (five seconds) 两点。 |
| Eric: You want to ask someone what time it is. Ask the question. |
| (5 seconds) |
| Cho: 几点了? |
| {pause} |
| Eric: This is the end of Lesson 17 |
Comments
HideTry to answer the questions 'What time is it?' in Chinese!
Hello robert groulx,
Thank you for your comment. We hope you enjoyed this lesson.
If you have any questions, please let us know.
Ngai Lam
Team ChineseClass101.com
thank you for the lesson transcript
favorite phrase is :几点了?
robert
Hello Kim,
Thank you for your comment.
Although 二 and 两 both mean 'two', they are used in different occasions. You can take a look at this lesson for a detailed explanation: https://www.chineseclass101.com/lesson/absolute-beginner-questions-answered-by-yinru-14-saying-two-is-it-%E4%BA%8C-er-or-%E4%B8%A4-li%C7%8Eng/
Currently there is no Zhuyin version, you may find the Ultimate Chinese Pronunciation Guide series helpful:
https://www.chineseclass101.com/lesson-library/ultimate-chinese-pronunciation-guide/
And we also highly recommend using the voice recorder tool to help perfect the pronunciation.
Hope this helps, and as always, let us know if you have any questions. 👍
Ngai Lam
Team ChineseClass101.com
Hi,
Couple of questions:
1. When do we use 兩 vs 二?
2. Do you have a zhu yin version to read along to?
I learned via zhu yin waaaay back and have difficulty nailing the sounds with pin yin.
Thanks!
Hi MD,
Thank you for your message.
Keep up studying well and in case of any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.👍
Sincerely,
Cristiane
Team ChineseClass101.com
Now I am able to speak time in chimese.
Thnks,
Hi Daniel
Thanks for learning with us.
Amy
Team ChineseClass101.com
五点