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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing generic time nouns with 分 (fēn)

    Numbers & Quantity
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    Number + 点 + Number + 分

    Explanation

    In Chinese, time expressions are built by stating the hour followed by the minutes and the word 分 (fēn), meaning 'minute.' For example, 七点四十分 means 'seven forty' or '7:40.' This structure is used for all clock times that include minutes.

    Examples

    • 我们约在下午两点三十分见面吧。

      Wǒmen yuē zài xiàwǔ liǎng diǎn sānshí fēn jiànmiàn ba.

      Let's meet at two thirty in the afternoon.

    • 火车是早上九点十五分出发的。

      Huǒchē shì zǎoshang jiǔ diǎn shíwǔ fēn chūfā de.

      The train departed at nine fifteen in the morning.

    • 她每天晚上十一点四十五分才睡觉。

      Tā měitiān wǎnshang shíyī diǎn sìshíwǔ fēn cái shuìjiào.

      She doesn't go to bed until eleven forty-five every night.

    Expressing generic time nouns with 分 (fēn) | Chinese Grammar