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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'minute' with the classifier 分钟 (fēnzhōng)

    Numbers & Quantity
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    Number + 分钟

    Explanation

    分钟 (fēnzhōng) is the standard classifier and noun for 'minute' as a unit of time. It is placed after a number to indicate a duration. For example, 几分钟后 means 'after a few minutes.'

    Examples

    • 等我五分钟，我马上就好。

      Děng wǒ wǔ fēnzhōng, wǒ mǎshàng jiù hǎo.

      Wait for me five minutes; I'll be ready right away.

    • 从这里走到地铁站大概要十分钟。

      Cóng zhèlǐ zǒu dào dìtiě zhàn dàgài yào shí fēnzhōng.

      It takes about ten minutes to walk from here to the subway station.

    • 她迟到了二十分钟，非常不好意思。

      Tā chídào le èrshí fēnzhōng, fēicháng bù hǎoyìsi.

      She was twenty minutes late and felt very embarrassed.

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    Expressing 'minute' with the classifier 分钟 (fēnzhōng) | Chinese Grammar