Before learning to tell time in Mandarin Chinese, you need a solid grasp of Mandarin numbers.
Here is a quick review of the Mandarin numbering system:
  • All number vocabulary is based on the numbers from zero to ten.
  • Multiples of 10 are expressed as 2-10 (20), 3-10 (30) etc.
  • Numbers above 10 are expressed as 10-1 (11), 20-3 (23) etc.
  • The number 2 has two forms: èr when counting, and liǎng when used with a measure word (as in telling the time).

Mandarin Time Vocabulary

Audio files are marked with ►
hour
►xiǎo shí / ►zhōng tóu
小時 / 鐘頭

minute
►fēn zhōng
分鐘

second
►miǎo
秒

morning
►zǎo shang / ►shàng wǔ
早上 / 上午

noon
►zhōng wǔ
中午

afternoon
►xià wǔ
下午

evening
►wǎn shang
晚上

night
►yè lǐ
夜裡

when?
►shénme shíhou
甚麼時候
what time?
►jī diǎn? 
幾點?

What Time Is It?

Mandarin time is most commonly expressed in “digital format” i.e. 10:45 rather than “a quarter to eleven.” However, the word ►bàn (半), which means “half,” is often used for 30 minutes past the hour.
What time is it?
►Xiànzài jī diǎn le? 
現在幾點了?

10:30
►shí diǎn bàn / ►shí diǎn sān shí fēn
十點半 / 十點三十分

11:00
►shí yī diǎn zhōng
十一點鐘

12:15
►shí èr diǎn shí wǔ fēn
十二點十五分

1:00
►yī diǎn zhōng
一點鐘

3:20
►sān diǎn èr shí fēn
三點二十分

5:55
►wǔ diǎn wǔ shí wǔ fēn
五點五十五分

8:00 in the morning
►zǎo shang bā diǎn
早上八點

2:00 in the afternoon
►xià wǔ liǎng diǎn
下午兩點

9:05 in the evening
►wǎn shang jiǔ diǎn wǔ fēn
晚上九點五分

Take the Mandarin Time Quiz

Ready to test your knowledge of Mandarin time? Take the Mandarin time audio quiz.