钟

• Pinyin: zhōng
• Hanzi breakdown: 钟 = 钅(metal radical) + 中 (middle)

Meaning

Clock; bell; time as measured in minutes. Refers to a timepiece, a bell, or is used as a unit for minutes.

Has several related uses: (1) A clock or timepiece (闹钟, alarm clock). (2) A bell (钟声, bell sound). (3) A unit of time meaning 'minutes' when combined with 分 (五分钟, five minutes). Very common in everyday time expressions. Also appears in the phrase 钟头 (hour, colloquial). The character 钟 was simplified from 鐘 (bell) and 鍾 (cup/affection).

Examples

1. 墙上挂着一个大钟。 There is a big clock hanging on the wall.
2. 再等我五分钟就好。 Just wait five more minutes for me.
3. 早上的闹钟没有响，我迟到了。 The alarm clock didn't go off in the morning, so I was late.

Usage Guide

Context: time, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 现在几点钟了？(What time is it now?)
• 我每天早上六点钟起床。(I get up at six o'clock every morning.)

Don't Say

• 我买了一个钟戴在手上。(For a wristwatch, say 手表 not 钟 — 钟 refers to a wall clock, desk clock, or bell, not a wearable watch)

Origin & History

Simplified from 鐘. 钅(metal) + 中 (middle). Originally referred to a bell made of metal that produces a centred, resonant sound.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal