刻

• 拼音: kè
• 汉字拆解: 刻 = 亥 (phonetic) + 刂 (knife) — originally 'to carve,' extended to time notches on ancient clocks

含义

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.

例句

1. 现在是三点一刻。
2. 我等了你一刻钟。
3. 再过一刻钟我们就走。

用法指南

语境: time, everyday

语气: neutral

正确说法

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

错误说法

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

起源与历史

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

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal