刻

• Pinyin: kè
• Hanzi breakdown: 刻 = 亥 (phonetic) + 刂 (knife) — originally 'to carve,' extended to time notches on ancient clocks

Meaning

Quarter of an hour; fifteen minutes. A unit used in telling time.

Used specifically in time expressions: 一刻 means quarter past, 三刻 means quarter to. Originally referred to notches on ancient water clocks used to measure time.

Examples

1. 现在是三点一刻。 It's now a quarter past three.
2. 我等了你一刻钟。 I waited for you for a quarter of an hour.
3. 再过一刻钟我们就走。 We'll leave in another quarter of an hour.

Usage Guide

Context: time, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 现在几点几刻？(What time is it — which quarter?)
• 差一刻六点。(It's a quarter to six.)

Don't Say

• 不要说'两刻' (Two quarters is not commonly said — say 半 for half hour instead of 两刻)

Origin & History

Originally meant 'to carve' or 'to engrave.' Extended to time measurement from notches carved on ancient water clocks to mark quarter hours.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal