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    Chinese Grammar

    Referring to a point in time with 点 (diǎn)

    Numbers & Quantity
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    Number + 点

    Explanation

    When used as a noun, 点 (diǎn) can mean "o'clock" when telling time, or "point" in a more general sense. For telling time, it follows a number directly: 三点 means "three o'clock." It is one of the first words learners encounter when studying how to express time in Chinese.

    Examples

    • 现在是下午三点，会议马上开始。

      xiànzài shì xiàwǔ sān diǎn, huìyì mǎshàng kāishǐ.

      It's three o'clock in the afternoon now, and the meeting is about to start.

    • 你几点下班？我六点。

      nǐ jǐ diǎn xiàbān? wǒ liù diǎn.

      What time do you get off work? I get off at six.

    • 早上八点的时候，她已经到了办公室。

      zǎoshang bā diǎn de shíhou, tā yǐjīng dàole bàngōngshì.

      At eight in the morning, she had already arrived at the office.

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    Referring to a point in time with 点 (diǎn) | Chinese Grammar