hour
Significado: A period of sixty minutes
An hour is a unit of time equal to sixty minutes or one twenty-fourth of a day. It can also refer to a particular time ('the lunch hour') or a point in time ('the hour has come'). Common expressions include 'by the hour' (paid per hour), 'on the hour' (at exactly o'clock), and 'after hours' (after business closes).
Ejemplos
- The journey takes about two hours. 这段旅程大约需要两个小时。El viaje dura unas dos horas.その旅は約2時間かかります。그 여정은 약 2시간 걸립니다.
- We've been waiting for hours. 我们已经等了好几个小时了。Hemos estado esperando durante horas.私たちは何時間も待っています。우리는 몇 시간이나 기다리고 있습니다.
- The shop opens on the hour. 这家店整点开门。La tienda abre a la hora en punto.その店は正時に開店します。그 가게는 정시에 문을 엽니다.
Pronunciación
Guía de uso
Contexto: general
Tono: neutral
Origen e historia
From Old French 'ore', from Latin 'hora' meaning 'season, time of day', from Greek 'hōra' (season, hour). The silent 'h' was added in the 13th century to match the Latin spelling, but was never pronounced in English — which is why we say 'an hour' not 'a hour'.
Contexto cultural
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Historia y curiosidades
The word 'hour' comes from Greek 'hora' meaning 'season' or 'time of day.' The 24-hour day was developed by ancient Egyptians, who divided daylight and darkness each into twelve parts, though the length of these hours varied with the seasons.
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