jau5酉

Jyutpingjau5

Yaleyáuh

名詞Rare

Definition

The tenth of the Earthly Branches, representing the period from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

the tenth of the Earthly Branches
the tenth Chinese hour, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

neutraltime

How it's used

This term is primarily used in traditional Chinese astrology, fortune telling, or historical contexts to denote specific time periods. In modern daily life, it is rarely used to tell time, as most people use the 24 hour clock or standard 12 hour format. It is deeply associated with the zodiac animal, the Rooster, which represents this specific branch.

Examples

ji4而gaa1家hai6係jau5酉si4時，caa1差m4唔do1多jiu3要sik6食maan5晚faan6飯laa3喇。

It is now the hour of the Rooster, almost time to have dinner.

nei5你zi1知m4唔zi1知jau5酉si4時hai6係gei2幾dim2點dou3到gei2幾dim2點aa4呀？

Do you know what time range the hour of the Rooster covers?

Common phrases

jau5酉si4時

the hour of the Rooster (5pm to 7pm)

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a common verb or noun used in casual conversation, but it is strictly a technical term for timekeeping or zodiac cycles. Do not use it to describe the current time in a normal social setting, as it will sound archaic or confusing.