现在几点了？
xiànzài jǐ diǎn le?
The English phrase "what is the time?" is translated into Chinese as 现在几点了？ (xiànzài jǐ diǎn le?)
现在几点了？ is a standard question used to ask someone for the current time of day.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down literally as 现在 (now) 几 (how many) 点 (o'clock) and the particle 了 (an aspect marker).
How does it change in a sentence?
In this question, the word 几 (jǐ) is used to ask for small numbers, which is why it is used instead of 什么 (shénme) for "what". The particle 了 (le) at the end of the sentence indicates a change of state, implying that time has progressed to the current moment. To show respect to a person, you can incorporate 您 (nín) into your speech.
How do you pronounce it?
xiànzài jǐ diǎn le?
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using 什么时间 (shénme shíjiān) to ask for the current time. Instead, use 几点 (jǐ diǎn) as it is the natural way to ask for the specific hour.
Did you know?
- Chinese has a specific word for 'quarter past' or 'quarter to' using 一刻 (yī kè), which literally means 'one slice' of an hour.
- In traditional Chinese culture, asking for the time can be a subtle way to signal that a meeting has gone on too long or that it is time for a guest to leave.
- The character 点 (diǎn) is also used as a measure word for small drops of liquid or tiny bits of food, like a 'drop' of oil.
Examples in context
- 请问现在几点了？Excuse me, what is the time now?
- 请问几点钟？Excuse me, what time is it?
- 您能告诉我现在是几点吗？Could you please tell me the current time?
- 现在几点啦？What time is it now?
- 不好意思，现在几点了？Bù hǎoyìsi, xiànzài jǐ diǎn le?Sorry, what is the time now?
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Jiayi are waiting for a bus.
- 志强 Zhiqiang佳怡，现在几点了？Jiāyí, xiànzài jǐ diǎn le?Jiayi, what time is it now?
- 佳怡 Jiayi现在三点十分。Xiànzài sān diǎn shí fēn.It is 3:10 now.
- 志强 Zhiqiang公交车怎么还没来？Gōngjiao chē zěnme hái méi lái?Why hasn't the bus arrived yet?
- 佳怡 Jiayi可能堵车了。Kěnéng dǔchē le.Maybe there is a traffic jam.
