半
bàn
The Chinese phrase for "half past" is 半 (bàn).
半 is used to indicate the half-hour mark when telling time, such as in "half past ten."
Meaning: "half past one" as example of usage in other languages (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
bàn
Did you know?
- The character 半 is an ideogrammic compound that visually represents the act of cutting a cow into two equal pieces, using the components for 'eight' and 'cow'.
- While 半 means 'half', Chinese speakers often use the word 半 to describe a 'half-hearted' or 'half-baked' effort in specific idioms.
- In ancient Chinese texts, 半 was sometimes used to describe the transition of seasons or the middle of a lunar month, rather than just minutes on a clock.
Examples in context
- 現在十點半。It's now half past ten.This sentence is useful for stating the current time.Tatoeba #13513731 by LeviHighway, translation #11996876 by sundown
- 六點半開始。It starts at half past six.This sentence is useful for expressing a starting time.Tatoeba #10657915 by DaoSeng, translation #10657378 by sundown
- 請在六時半叫醒我。Wake me at half past six, please.This sentence is useful for making a request regarding a specific time.Tatoeba #339869 by nickyeow, translation #12201444 by sundown
- 我们的会议将在上午九点半开始。Our meeting will start at half past nine in the morning.
- 我们的约会定在下午四点三十分。Our appointment is scheduled for half past four in the afternoon.
- 我想在六点半左右到达你家。I'd like to arrive at your place around half past six.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a movie time.
- 佳怡 Jiayi電影是幾點開始？Diànyǐng shì jǐ diǎn kāishǐ?What time does the movie start?
- 伟 Wei七點半。Qī diǎn bàn.Half past seven.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那我們七點半在門口見。Nà wǒmen qī diǎn bàn zài ménkǒu jiàn.Then let's meet at the entrance at half past seven.
- 伟 Wei好的，沒問題。Hǎo de, méi wèntí.Okay, no problem.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 半, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
