HSK Guide

diǎno’clock (measure word for hours)

diǎn (third tone, dipping)dian3

Traditional:

o’clock (measure word for hours)

HSK 1· HSK 1–4 (classic)Level 1· Three-band, nine-level standardmeasurenoun
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Meanings

  1. o’clock (measure word for hours)

    The measure word for clock hours: 八点 eight o’clock, 几点 what time. Because 点 is itself the measure word, no 个 comes between it and the number.

    measure
  2. a dot, a spot

    noun
  3. a little, a bit (in 一点儿)

    measure

Example sentences

  • 现在是八点。現在是八點。Xiànzài (fourth tone, falling) shì (fourth tone, falling) (first tone, high and level) diǎn. (third tone, dipping)···

    It’s eight o’clock.

  • 我七点吃饭。我七點吃飯。 (third tone, dipping) (first tone, high and level) diǎn (third tone, dipping) chīfàn. (first tone, high and level)···

    I eat at seven.

Common mistakes

  • Not quite现在是三个点。

    Correct现在是三点。

    点 is already a measure word, so it takes the number directly. Inserting 个 is like saying "three pieces of o’clock".