Times to the minute (点 … 分)
IntroducedA meeting starts halfway through the hour
- A meeting begins at 2:30 rather than lasting for half an hour.
- meeting会议两点half半to start开始。 — 两点half半 names the clock time 2:30.
A meeting begins at 2:30 rather than lasting for half an hour. What does 会议两点半开始。 communicate?
两点半 names the clock time 2:30. 半 after 点 means half past the hour. 半个小时 is a duration of thirty minutes; 三点十五分 is 3:15. Do not confuse a clock time with elapsed time.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is Times to the minute (point点 … part分). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
now现在three o'clock三点fifteen minutes十五分。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: 3:15 = 三点 ____ 分。
X 点 Y 分: 三点十五分 = 3:15.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, meeting会议两点half半to start开始。: 两点half半 names the clock time 2:30.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
What does 两点半 mean?
半 = :30, so 两点半 = 2:30.
Build: “It's 3:15 now.”
现在 + X点 + Y分: 现在 + 三点 + 十五分.
Know the boundary
- half半 after point点 means half past the hour.
- half of sth半个hour小时 is a duration of thirty minutes; three o'clock三点fifteen minutes十五分 is 3:15. Do not confuse a clock time with elapsed time.
差五分三点 means “five past three”.
差…分 = “…to”: 差五分三点 = 2:55 (five TO three).
In the opening situation: 两点半 names the clock time 2:30.
半 after 点 means half past the hour. 半个小时 is a duration of thirty minutes; 三点十五分 is 3:15. Do not confuse a clock time with elapsed time. 两点半 names the clock time 2:30.
Use the distinction
- 两点half半 names the clock time 2:30.
- half半 after point点 means half past the hour. half of sth半个hour小时 is a duration of thirty minutes; three o'clock三点fifteen minutes十五分 is 3:15. Do not confuse a clock time with elapsed time.
Read the full reference: HSK 3 grammar — Numbers.
A meeting begins at 2:30 rather than lasting for half an hour. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.