Correct Answer: C
“点(diǎn)” is an unit of time meaning “o’clock.” For example, “七点(qīdiǎn), seven o’clock,” and “十二点(shíèr diǎn), twelve o’clock.” When we ask someone the time, we usually say “几点(jǐdiǎn)? What time is it?”
“分(fēn)” is also an unit of time meaning “minute,” such as “十点二十分(shí diǎn èrshí fēn), ten twenty” and “六点三十七分(liù diǎn sānshíqī fēn), six thirty-seven.”
”秒(miǎo)” means “second.” For example, “五点十三分六秒(wǔ diǎn shísān fēn liù miǎo), five thirteen and six seconds.” However, as in English, we usually do not use ”秒(miǎo)” to tell the time. When you tell the time, you have to say the “点(diǎn)” first, then “分(fēn).” For example, “八点零五分(bā diǎnlíngwǔ fēn), eight o-five” and “十一点二十二分(shíyì diǎn èrshíèr fēn), eleven twenty-two.”
Example
David: Xiànzài jǐ diǎn?
David: 现在 几点？
David: What time is it now?
Simon: Sān diǎn sìshíwǔ fēn.
Simon: 三 点 四十五 分。
Simon: Three forty-five.
When we tell time, “分(fēn)” can be omitted while “点(diǎn)” cannot. For example, “七点四十(qī diǎn sìshí), seven forty,” or “十一点三十(shíyī diǎn sānshí), eleven thirty.”
What’s more, if the hour is right at the o’clock on the dot, we could formally say “点钟(diǎnzhōng)” instead of “点(diǎn).” For example, “八点钟(bā diǎnzhōng), eight o’clock.”
Example
David: Xiànzài jǐ diǎnzhōng?
David: 现在 几 点 钟？
David: What time is it now？
Simon: Jiǔ diǎnzhōng.
Simon: 九 点 钟
Simon: Nine o’clock.
Translation of the dialogue
Jack: Diànyǐng jǐdiǎn kāishǐ?
Jack: 电影 几点 开始？
Jack: What time does the movie start?
Ada: Qī diǎn èrshí
Ada: 七 点 二十。
Ada: At seven twenty.
In the above test, Jack asks about what time the movie start. We use “点(diǎn)” to represent a specific time. Therefore, the correct answer is C.
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