🇨🇳 Chinese phrases

How to Say "What time is it?" in Chinese

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
现在几点了?
"What time is it?" in Chinese · say it like shyen zài jǐ diǎn le

The most natural way to say "What time is it?" in Chinese is 现在几点了?. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

请问现在几点?
More formal, often used in polite inquiries.
现在是什么时候?
A bit more casual, can be used among friends.

When to use it

You can use this phrase when you want to know the current time. It is suitable in both casual and formal situations. Just approach someone politely if you are asking in a formal context.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "What time is it?" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Chinese

ChineseEnglish
对不起,您能告诉我现在几点了吗?Excuse me, can you tell me what time it is now?
Common mistake
A common mistake is to forget the question mark in spoken Chinese, as the tone of voice indicates it's a question.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear 现在几点了?, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Chinese with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Can I just say '几点了?'?

Yes, it's a more casual way to ask the same question.

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