In this cozy and sunny episode, we explore how to talk about time in Mandarin: from the hour and minutes to words like today, tomorrow, summer time, and more! You’ll also discover a fun cultural surprise—China uses only one time zone! 😮

We’ll break down an easy grammar structure for daily time expressions, share key HSK1–2 vocabulary, and dive into beautiful Chinese phrases about time in our reflective section.

✨ Don’t forget to check the description for today’s grammar and vocabulary—it will help you review and practice more easily!

🧱 Grammar of the Day

Structure: Subject + Time + Verb + Object
In Mandarin, time expressions usually come before the verb.

Example Sentences:

• 我七点起床。
  I get up at 7.
• 他三点下课。
  He finishes class at 3.
• 我们明天见。
  We’ll meet tomorrow.

This sentence pattern is used all the time in daily conversations—easy and super useful!

⏰ Key Vocabulary (HSK1–2 level)

• 点 (diǎn) – o’clock
• 分钟 (fēn zhōng) – minute
• 现在 (xiàn zài) – now
• 今天 (jīn tiān) – today
• 明天 (míng tiān) – tomorrow
• 昨天 (zuó tiān) – yesterday
• 早上 (zǎo shang) – morning
• 中午 (zhōng wǔ) – noon
• 下午 (xià wǔ) – afternoon
• 晚上 (wǎn shang) – evening
• 时间 (shí jiān) – time
• 几点 (jǐ diǎn) – what time
• 夏令时 (xià lìng shí) – summer time
• 冬令时 (dōng lìng shí) – winter time

🧪 Example Sentences with Vocabulary

• 现在几点？
  What time is it now?
• 我中午十二点吃饭。
  I eat at 12 noon.
• 他早上七点半去学校。
  He goes to school at 7:30 in the morning.
• 法国有夏令时，中国没有。
  France has summer time; China doesn’t.
• 我们明天下午见。
  Let’s meet tomorrow afternoon.