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Telling Time

Hours, minutes, and clock time

6words
15XP
6–10min

In Cantonese, telling time uses “點” for “o'clock”, “半” for “half past”, and “字” for “quarter”.

  • dim2o'clock
  • bun3half past
  • zi6quarter
dim2

o'clock / hour

ji4gaa1gei2dim2

What time is it now?

bun3

half

ji4gaa1cat1dim2bun3

It is 7:30 now

zi6

quarter (15 minutes)

saam1dim2jat1go3zi6

3:15 (three o'clock one quarter)

saam1dim2

3 o'clock

saam1dim2faan1hok6

Go to school at 3 o'clock

Note: “字” literally means “character” but in time-telling it means 15 minutes. “三個字” = 45 minutes!

ng5dim2bun3

5:30 / half past five

ng5dim2bun3fong3gung1

Get off work at half past five

loeng5dim2saam1go3zi6

2:45 / quarter to three

loeng5dim2saam1go3zi6hoi1wui2

Meeting at 2:45