Learning how to ask for the time in Chinese is a useful skill that can come in handy when traveling or conversing with Chinese speakers. In this guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways of asking for the time in Chinese. While Mandarin is the standard dialect, we will also touch on some regional variations if necessary. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Ask for the Time
When you want to ask someone the time in a more formal context or with people you are not familiar with, you can use the following phrases:
- 现在几点了？ (xiàn zài jǐ diǎn le?) – What time is it now? This is the most common and standard way to ask for the time in Mandarin Chinese.
- 请问现在几点？ (qǐng wèn xiàn zài jǐ diǎn?) – Excuse me, what time is it now? This polite phrase is appropriate to use with strangers or people older than you.
Informal Ways to Ask for the Time
When you are in a more casual setting or with friends, family, or people of the same age, you can use these informal expressions to ask for the time:
- 现在几点啊？ (xiàn zài jǐ diǎn a?) – What time is it now, huh? Adding “啊” at the end makes the question sound more relaxed and friendly.
- 现在几点了啊？ (xiàn zài jǐ diǎn le a?) – What time is it now, huh? Similar to the previous expression, the addition of “了啊” adds a touch of informality to the question.
Regional Variations
Cantonese:
Cantonese is commonly spoken in Guangdong Province and regions like Hong Kong and Macau:
依家幾點呀？ (ji1 gaa1 gei2 dim2 a?) – What time is it now? This phrase is used in Cantonese, and you can replace “依家” with “而家” which has the same meaning.
Taiwanese (Hokkien):
Hokkien is spoken in Taiwan and other parts of Southeast Asia:
現在幾點啦？ (ian7-tsāi kuí-thiám lah?) – What time is it now? This is the commonly used phrase in Taiwanese Hokkien.
Tips for Asking the Time in Chinese
Mimicking the Answer:
When asking for the time, you can mimic the answer to clarify your question:
A: 现在是五点。 (xiàn zài shì wǔ diǎn.) – It’s five o’clock. B: 五点啊？ (wǔ diǎn a?) – Five o’clock, huh?
Chinese Time Format:
In Chinese, time is represented in the format “hour + 点( diǎn) + minute.” For example:
三点二十分 (sān diǎn èr shí fēn) – Three twenty (3:20).
Using Extra Words:
You can add “了” (le) at the end of a question to indicate the present tense:
几点了吗？ (jǐ diǎn le ma?) – What time is it now?
Alternatively, you can also add “现在” (xiàn zài) at the beginning of the question for more clarity:
现在是几点？ (xiàn zài shì jǐ diǎn?) – What time is it now?
Examples:
- Formal:
– 请问现在几点？
Informal:
– 现在几点啊？ – 现在几点了啊？
Cantonese:
– 依家几点呀？
Taiwanese:
– 現在幾點啦？ (Hokkien)
Now armed with these phrases, you can confidently ask for the time in Chinese, be it in a formal or informal setting. Remember to practice and familiarize yourself with the different regional variations if you plan to visit specific Chinese-speaking areas. Enjoy exploring the rich language and culture of China!
