To indicate time using “半”, “刻” or “差”

In Chinese, when telling time on the clock, besides specifying exact minutes (分), words like 半 (bàn — half), 刻 (kè — quarter), and 差 (chà — to lack / to) are commonly used:

半 (bàn): Represents 30 minutes (half an hour).

刻 (kè): Represents 15 minutes (a quarter of an hour).

差 (chà): Indicates how many minutes or quarters remain before reaching the next hour (equivalent to “to” or “before” in English).

Grammar Structure

Half past: Hour + 点 + 半

Quarter past / to: Hour + 点 + 一刻 (15 mins past) / Hour + 点 + 三刻 (45 mins past)

Minutes to the hour: 差 + Minutes / Quarter + Target Hour + 点

Important Note: difference between “一刻” and “一刻钟”

一刻 (yí kè) — Used for indicating a specific time on the clock (e.g. 12:15). 一刻钟 (yí kèzhōng) — Used to express a duration of time (a 15-minute time span).

Example Sentences

一(Yì)点(diǎn)半(bàn)

Half past one (1:30)

十(Shí)二(èr)点(diǎn)一(yí)刻(kè)

A quarter past twelve (12:15)

十(Shí)二(èr)点(diǎn)三(sān)刻(kè) / 差(Chà)一(yí)刻(kè)一(yì)点(diǎn)

12:45 / A quarter to one

差(Chà)五(wǔ)分(fēn)十(shí)二(èr)点(diǎn)

Five minutes to twelve (11:55)

我(Wǒ)等(děng)了(le)一(yí)刻(kè)钟(zhōng)。

I waited for a quarter of an hour (15 minutes).