刻 kè — quarter of an hour
kè (fourth tone, falling)ke4
quarter of an hour
HSK 3· HSK 1–4 (classic)measure
Meanings
quarter of an hour
Fifteen minutes, used in telling the time: 三点一刻 is a quarter past three and 三点三刻 a quarter to four. Half past has its own word — 三点半 — so 两刻 is never said.
measure
Example sentences
- 现在三点一刻。現在三點一刻。Xiànzài (fourth tone, falling) sān (first tone, high and level) diǎn (third tone, dipping) yí (second tone, rising) kè. (fourth tone, falling)···
It is a quarter past three.
- 我们等了一刻钟。我們等了一刻鐘。Wǒmen (third tone, dipping) děngle (third tone, dipping) yí (second tone, rising) kè (fourth tone, falling) zhōng. (first tone, high and level)···
We waited for a quarter of an hour.
Common mistakes
Not quite现在三点两刻。
Correct现在三点半。
Chinese counts quarters only as 一刻 and 三刻. Two quarters is a half, and a half has its own word: 半.