Language/Yue-chinese/Vocabulary/Telling-Time
Introduction
Learning how to tell time is an essential part of mastering any language. It allows you to make plans, arrange meetings, and organize your day. In this lesson, we will learn the basics of telling time in Yue Chinese, including how to express hours and minutes and asking for the time.
Hours and Minutes
In Yue Chinese, we use the same system as other languages to express hours and minutes during the day. Below are some basics you need to know about telling time in Yue Chinese:
- The hour is expressed first, followed by the minute.
- The words for “hour” and “minute” in Yue Chinese are “鐘” (jung) and “分” (fan), respectively.
- The numbers used to express the hours and minutes are the same as those learned in the lesson “Numbers 1-100”.
- To express the time, we use the word “點” (dim), which means “o’clock” and separates the hour and the minute. For example, 3:30 would be expressed as “三點半” (sam dim bun).
Asking for the Time
If you want to ask for the time in Yue Chinese, you can use the following phrases:
- 現在幾點？(hin zoi ge dim?) – What time is it now?
- 幾點幾分？(ge dim ge fan?) – What time is it?
The first sentence is used if you want to ask for the specific time, while the second sentence is used if you want to ask for the hour and the minute separately.
Practice
Let’s practice telling time in Yue Chinese:
| Yue Chinese | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 一點十分 | yat dim sap fan | One Ten |
| 三點五十五分 | sam dim ng fan mm fan | Three fifty-five |
| 七點三十分 | chat dim saam sap fan | Seven thirty |
Cultural Insights
The concept of time in China is deeply rooted in the country’s history and culture. China has always been a highly agricultural society, and the rhythms of fieldwork and seasonal changes have shaped the way people think about time. In traditional Chinese culture, time is cyclical rather than linear, and it follows the natural rhythm of the universe. The cycle is represented by the twelve zodiac animals, which are associated with specific hours of the day. People born in a certain year are believed to share the characteristics of the animal associated with that year.
In modern China, the concept of time has undergone significant changes due to industrialization and globalization. People now work longer hours than before and have more pressure to be efficient and productive. However, the traditional concept of time is still present in many Chinese holidays and rituals, such as the Spring Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival, which are based on the lunar calendar.
Conclusion
In this lesson, we learned how to tell time in Yue Chinese, including expressing hours and minutes and asking for the time. We also gained insights into the cultural and historical significance of time in China. Practice is the key to mastering this skill, so keep practicing, and you’ll soon be able to tell time in Yue Chinese like a native speaker!