saam1 dim2 zung1三點鐘三点钟
Jyutpingsaam1 dim2 zung1
Yalesāam dím jūng
Definition
Three o'clock.
colloquialtime
How it's used
While the character 鐘 is often included in formal writing, it is frequently dropped in casual speech when the context is clear. You will often hear people simply say 三點 to refer to the time. The full form 三點鐘 is mostly used when you need to be precise or when emphasizing the exact time.
Examples
It is three o'clock now, can we leave yet?
He arranged to meet me at the MTR station at three o'clock.
Common phrases
around three o'clock
exactly three o'clock
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the duration of three hours, which is 三個鐘. Always remember to add the classifier 個 when talking about a duration of time.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
