分钟 fēnzhōng minute
How to remember 分钟: 分 divide + 钟 clock = minute.
Characters
How it is used
- A minute of duration - 等五分钟 (děng wǔ fēnzhōng) wait five minutes.
- 分钟 is the length of time; 分 alone is the minute mark on the clock: 五点十分 = 5:10, but 十分钟 = ten minutes.
- So keep 钟 for spans, drop it for clock readings.
Example sentences
- 再给我五分钟。 Zài gěi wǒ wǔfēnzhōng.Give me five more minutes.
- 我10分钟后回来。 Wǒ 10fēnzhōng hòu huílái.I'll be back in ten minutes.