zi2 je6子夜
Jyutpingzi2 je6
Yalejí yeh
Definition
Midnight; the period of time from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.
writtentime
How it's used
子夜 is a formal or literary term that refers specifically to the traditional Chinese time period between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. In everyday spoken Cantonese, people almost always use 半夜 or 深夜 instead. Using 子夜 in casual conversation can sound slightly poetic or dramatic, similar to saying 'the witching hour' in English.
Examples
He didn't sleep all night, sitting until midnight before he was willing to go to his room.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this word to describe the exact time of 12 a.m. as a clock reading. It refers to a two-hour window, so it is better to use 凌晨十二點 for the specific moment of midnight.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
