幾點呀？
gei2 dim2 aa3?
The phrase "what time is it?" in Cantonese is 幾點呀？ (gei2 dim2 aa3?)
This phrase is used to ask for the current time of day.
What does it mean word for word?
The core part of the phrase, 幾點 (gei2 dim2), literally translates to "how many/which dot/point", where 點 (dim2) refers to a point in time.
Which one should you use?
You can also say 而家幾點？ (ji4 gaa1 gei2 dim2?) by adding 而家, which means "now", to the beginning. This is a very common way to specifically ask "what time is it now?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 呀 (aa3) at the end of 幾點呀？ is a sentence-final particle. It is used to soften the tone of the question, making it sound more natural and less blunt.
How do you pronounce it?
gei2 dim2 aa3?
Did you know?
- If you use a very blunt tone without the particle 呀 (aa3), you might sound like you are demanding the time or even challenging someone.
- When answering the question, Cantonese speakers often use the word 鐘 (zung1), which means 'clock' or 'bell', to denote the hour.
- In Hong Kong, people often answer 幾點呀？ using a 12-hour clock but add 晏晝 ('afternoon') or 夜晚 ('night') to clarify the time of day.
Examples in context
- 唔該，請問幾點呀？m4 goi1, cing2 man6 gei2 dim2 aa3?Excuse me, what time is it, please?
Example conversation
Meiling and Zhiqiang are waiting for a bus together.
- 美玲 Mei Ling志強，而家幾點呀？Zi6 keung4, yi4 gaa1 gei2 dim2 aa3?Zhiqiang, what time is it now?
- 志強 Chi Keung而家三點半。yi4 gaa1 saam1 dim2 bun3.It is three thirty now.
- 美玲 Mei Ling巴士應該快到喇。baa1 si2 jing1 goi1 faai3 dou3 laa3.The bus should be here soon.
- 志強 Chi Keung係，快到喇。hai6, faai3 dou3 laa3.Yes, it's almost here.
