Takeaway Chinese Talking about time in Chinese: Everyday expressions 用中文聊聊时间
Jan 12, 2026
Dive into the fascinating world of time with insights into common Chinese expressions! Explore why time seems to fly as we age and the rich proverbs that equate it to life and wealth. Learn essential phrases for asking the time and discover how to express hours and minutes, along with quirky idiomatic expressions. The hosts also share secrets of ancient timekeeping methods and contrast unique cultural metaphors about fast and slow moments. It's an entertaining journey through time that deepens your understanding of the language!
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Why Time Feels Faster With Age
- People perceive time as faster when older because fewer novel experiences create fewer detailed memories.
- Steve explains proportional perception: a year is a larger share of a child's life, so it feels longer.
Ask The Time Naturally
- Use 现在几点了 to ask the current time; 了 makes the question feel complete.
- Avoid 吗 because 几点了 is not a yes/no question; 了 signals finishedness or completion.
Precision Vs. Rounding In Time
- Chinese time expressions include 三点半 for half past three and 三点零九分 for precise minutes.
- People often round time in conversation and favor rounded units like five minutes.