Note: The spoken Chinese Mandarin language has 4 spoken tones. We have attempted to re-create those below where after each syllable we tell you (1), (2), (3), or (4) as they correspond to each of the 4 tones. We encourage you to complement your Xianzai.com Emergency Chinese newsletter with a good offline study program.

NEW WORDS
Time-shi(2) jian(1)
Hours- xiao(3) shi(2)
Minutes- fen(1) zhong(1)
Clock-zhong(1) biao(3)
Watch-shou(3) biao(3)
Thank you- xie(4) xie(4) ni(3)

LESSON

• Can you tell me the time please?
  ni(3) neng(2) gao(4) su(4) wo(3) shi(2) jian(1) ma?
  
• Is the meeting at 9AM or 9PM?
  hui(4) yi(4) shi(4) shang(4) wu(3) jiu(3) dian(3) hai(2) shi(4) wan(3) shang(4) jiu(3) dian(3)?
  
• Where can I buy a nice watch?
  wo(3) zai(4) na(3) er ke(2) yi(3) mai(3) dao(4) hao(3) shou(3) biao(3)?
  
• What time does the bar open?
  jiu(3) bar(1) shen(2) mo shi(2) hou(4) kai(1)?
  
• Thank you for telling me the time.
  xie(4) xie(4) nin(2) gao(4) su(4) wo(3) shi(2) jian(1).

* Tip: Watches in China, as in most other countries, serve a dual purpose. They show the time as well as being a fashion statement or an expression of individuality.

Famous Chinese watch brands such as Seagull and MeiHua still rank among the most common in China and are well known for their reliability.

China, despite its enormity, has just one time zone - Beijing time. Beijing time is eight hours ahead of GMT.