Little Mandarin: Learn Chinese through conversations

S01E18【ENG】What Time Is It? Learn to Talk About Time in Mandarin


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What time is it? How do you say morning, afternoon, or evening in Mandarin? And why do Chinese weekdays start with "Week One" instead of Monday?

In today’s episode, we break down how to ask and tell time in Mandarin, explore some interesting cultural insights 🏮, and learn practical expressions to help you never miss a meeting, meal, or date in China! 🕰️

✅ Learn how to ask for the time: 现在几点?(xiànzài jǐ diǎn?)
✅ Master key time-related words like 日, 月, 天, 星期 🌙
✅ Understand how Chinese people perceive time and punctuality 🎯

🎙️ Plus, stay tuned for Thursday’s Mandarin episode:
👉 《最佳保质日期,真的有必要吗?》Do best-before dates really matter?

Check out today’s key vocabulary and grammar in the description for easy review! Happy learning!


现在几点? 你知道怎么用普通话表达时间吗?中国人为什么用“星期一”而不是“Monday”?

在今天的节目中,我们学习如何用普通话表达时间,探讨有趣的文化背景🏮,并掌握一些实用的时间表达方式,让你在中国不会错过会议、约会或吃饭时间!🕰️

✅ 学习如何问时间:现在几点?(xiànzài jǐ diǎn?)
✅ 掌握日, 月, 天, 星期的用法 🌙
✅ 了解中国人对时间和准时的看法 🎯

🎙️ 另外,别忘了收听本周四的普通话节目:
👉 《最佳保质日期,真的有必要吗?》食品的最佳保质期真的重要吗?

📌 今天的语法和重点词汇都在描述中,记得查看哦!祝大家学习愉快!🚀

📚 Grammar of the Day: Asking & Telling Time in Mandarin

1️⃣ How to Ask for the Time

  • 现在几点?(xiànzài jǐ diǎn?) – What time is it now?
  • 你几点起床?(nǐ jǐ diǎn qǐchuáng?) – What time do you wake up?

🛠️ Grammar Structure:
➡️ Subject + Time Word + Verb

  • 我早上七点起床。(wǒ zǎoshang qī diǎn qǐchuáng.) – I wake up at 7 AM.
  • 我们下午三点见面。(wǒmen xiàwǔ sān diǎn jiànmiàn.) – We’ll meet at 3 PM.


📝 Key Vocabulary & Sentence Examples

Time-related Words:

  • 日 (rì) – Day (formal, used in dates) 🗓️
    • 📌 今天是220日 (jīntiān shì èr yuè èr shí rì) – Today is February 20th.
  • 天 (tiān) – Day (spoken) ☀️
    • 📌 我每天学习汉语 (wǒ měitiān xuéxí hànyǔ) – I study Chinese every day.
  • 月 (yuè) – Month / Moon 🌙
    • 📌 这个月有三十天 (zhège yuè yǒu sānshí tiān) – This month has 30 days.
  • 星期 (xīngqī) + number – Weekdays 📅
    • 📌 星期五见! (xīngqī wǔ jiàn!) – See you on Friday!

🕒 Clock Time:

  • 点 (diǎn) – O’clock
    • 📌 现在五点 (xiànzài wǔ diǎn) – It’s 5 o’clock.
  • 半 (bàn) – Half past
    • 📌 现在三点半 (xiànzài sān diǎn bàn) – It’s 3:30.
  • 刻 (kè) – Quarter past
    • 📌 现在四点一刻 (xiànzài sì diǎn yí kè) – It’s 4:15.
  • 分钟 (fēnzhōng) – Minute ⏳
    • 📌 等我五分钟! (děng wǒ wǔ fēnzhōng!) – Wait for me for 5 minutes!

🔢 A Fun Shopping Rhyme for Kids 🛍️

今天星期一,我去买大衣,🧥大衣的价钱是一块一毛一

今天星期二,我去买耳环,👂✨耳环的价钱是二块二毛二

今天星期三,我去买山楂,🍎山楂的价钱是三块三毛三

今天星期四,我去买柿子,🍅柿子的价钱是四块四毛四

今天星期五,我去买老虎,🐯老虎的价钱是五块五毛五

今天星期六,我去买石榴,🪻十六的价钱是六块六毛六

今天星期七,我去买油漆,🎨油漆的价钱是七块七毛七


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Little Mandarin: Learn Chinese through conversationsBy Eudora’s Mandarin Café