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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "minute" with 分 (fēn)

    Numbers & Quantity
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    Number + 分

    Explanation

    分 (fēn) is a measure word for minutes when telling time. It is placed after a number to indicate a duration or point in time measured in minutes, and is one of the most basic time-related words in Chinese.

    Examples

    • 现在是下午三点四十五分。

      xiànzài shì xiàwǔ sān diǎn sìshíwǔ fēn.

      It is now three forty-five in the afternoon.

    • 等我五分，我马上就下来。

      děng wǒ wǔ fēn, wǒ mǎshàng jiù xiàlái.

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

    • 从这儿走到地铁站大概要十分。

      cóng zhèr zǒu dào dìtiězhàn dàgài yào shí fēn.

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

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    Expressing "minute" with 分 (fēn) | Chinese Grammar