All You Need to Know to Express Time and Duration in Chinese

Many Chinese learners have noticed that in Chinese, there are quite a few similar words that have similar or even identical meanings. However, a big difference can be observed when it comes to using them in different contexts, which include phrases used to express time. Let’s take a look at the following three pairs of words that can help you better understand how to express time and duration in Chinese.

1. Minutes

Both of these two words mean “minute”. The difference is that “分” (fēn) is used to express a specific time (e.g. 5:20), whereas “分钟” (fēnzhōng) is used to indicate duration (e.g. ten minutes).

EXAMPLES:

现在是五点二十分。
Xiànzài shì wǔ diǎn èrshí fēn.
It’s now 5:20.

我可以等你十分钟。
Wǒ kěyǐ děng nǐ shí fēnzhōng.
I can wait for you for ten minutes.

2. A Quater / 15 Minutes

Both words refer to “15 minutes”. Similar to the difference between “分” (fēn) and “分钟” (fēnzhōng), “一刻” (yī kè) is used to describe a specific time like “8:15”, and “一刻钟” (yī kè zhōng) is used to express duration like “15 minutes”. Consequently, “三刻” (sān kè) and “三刻钟” (sān kè zhōng) mean “45 minutes”. For Chinese learners, an easier way to say “15 minutes” would be just “十五分” (shíwǔ fēn) or “十五分钟” (shíwǔ fēn zhōng).

EXAMPLES:

我八点一刻去学校。
Wǒ bā diǎn yī kè qù xuéxiào.
I’m going to school at 8:15.

我需要一刻钟吃午饭。
Wǒ xūyào yī kè zhōng chī wǔfàn.
I need 15 minutes to have lunch.

3. Hours

Many Chinese learners feel puzzled about the use of these two words. What you need to remember is that the meaning of “点” (diǎn) is close to “o’clock”, and “小时” (xiǎo shí) means “hour”, which refers to duration.

EXAMPLES:

我每天六点下班。
Wǒ měitiān liù diǎn xià bān.
I finish work at 6 o’clock every day.

我昨天工作了八个小时。
Wǒ zuótiān gōngzuò le bā gè xiǎoshí.
I worked for eight hours yesterday.

We hope these phrases and questions will be useful and help you next time you want to express time and duration in Chinese. To find out more interesting phrases and questions in Chinese, check out one of our blog posts 5 Small Talk Phrases in Chinese