How to Tell Time in Cantonese

Understanding the Basics of Time in Cantonese

In Cantonese, the concept of time is expressed with a variety of words and phrases. Understanding the building blocks of these expressions is essential for effective communication.

Essential Vocabulary for Telling Time

How to Express Full Hours

Telling full hours in Cantonese is straightforward. Simply state the number followed by 點 (dím). For example, 1 o'clock is 一點 (yāt dím).

Examples of Full Hours

Expressing Minutes in Cantonese

To tell the time down to the minute, state the hour followed by 點 (dím) and the number of minutes followed by 分鐘 (fān jūng). For instance, 2:30 would be 兩點三十分 (léuhng dím sāam sap fān).

Minute-Based Examples

• For half hours, you can also say "半" (bun), e.g., 4:30 as "四點半" (sei dím bun).
• "一刻" (~"yāt hak") is used for 15-minute intervals, such as 5:15 as "五點一刻" (ńgh dím yāt hak).

Using AM and PM in Cantonese

To specify morning or evening, Cantonese uses time expressions like 早上 (jóu seuhng) for AM and 晚上 (máahn seuhng) for PM. For example, 7 PM would be expressed as 晚上七點 (máahn seuhng chāt dím).

Practice with Morning and Evening