点钟怎么读英语

Introduction

Reading the clock in English can be a confusing task for non-native English speakers. The clock has two hands, one that shows the hours and another that shows the minutes. In this article, we will learn how to read the clock in English and some tips on how to be more efficient in telling the time.

Reading the hours

The first step in reading the clock is to learn how to read the hours. The clock is marked with numbers from 1 to 12, which represent the hours in a day. To read the time, we need to look at the number where the hour hand is pointing. For example, if the hour hand is pointing to number 6, the time is either 6 o'clock or 6:00.

Reading the minutes

After we have read the hour, we now need to read the minutes. The minutes are marked on the clock in intervals of 5. To read the time in English, we look at where the minute hand is pointing and determine the number of minutes by the nearest interval of 5. For example, if the minute hand is pointing to number 2, we would say that the time is "five past" because 2 is the second interval after 12. If the minute hand is pointing to the 7, we would say that the time is "ten past" because 7 is the second interval after 5.

Using "quarter" and "half"

When the minute hand is pointing to the 3, 6, 9, or 12, we use special words to indicate the number of minutes. When the minute hand is pointing to the 3 or 9, we use the word "quarter" to indicate 15 minutes. For example, if the time is 3:15, we would say "quarter past three." When the minute hand is pointing to the 6, we use the word "half" to indicate 30 minutes. For example, if the time is 6:30, we would say "half past six."

Using "to"

When the minute hand is pointing to a number greater than 30, we use the word "to" to indicate the number of minutes left until the next hour. For example, if the time is 4:40, we would say "twenty to five." This means that there are 20 minutes left until the hour changes to 5 o'clock.

Conclusion

Reading the clock in English may seem difficult at first, but with practice, anyone can become proficient in telling the time. Remember to read the hour and minutes separately and use the special words "quarter" and "half" when appropriate. By following these tips, you will be able to tell the time in English confidently and efficiently.