Basic Korean Conversation 22: Asking and Telling the Time
Dialogue
A: 지금 몇 시예요? (Jigeum myeot siyeyo?)
B: 두 시예요. (Du siyeyo.)
A: 몇 분이에요? (Myeot bunieyo?)
B: 삼십 분이에요. (Samsip bunieyo.)
Breakdown of the Dialogue
1. 지금 몇 시예요? (Jigeum myeot siyeyo?)
- Meaning: This phrase means "What time is it now?" It's a common way to ask for the current time.
- Usage: Use this question when you want to know the current time.
- Pronunciation: The phrase is pronounced as "ji-geum myeot si-ye-yo?" The word "지금" (jigeum) means "now," and "몇 시예요" (myeot siyeyo) means "what time is."
2. 두 시예요. (Du siyeyo.)
- Meaning: This phrase means "It's two o'clock." It indicates the current hour.
- Usage: Use this phrase to tell the time when it is two o'clock.
- Pronunciation: The phrase is pronounced as "du si-ye-yo." The word "두" (du) means "two," and "시예요" (siyeyo) means "o'clock."
3. 몇 분이에요? (Myeot bunieyo?)
- Meaning: This phrase means "How many minutes?" or "What minute is it?" It's a way to ask for the specific minutes in the current time.
- Usage: Use this question when you want to know the exact minutes past the hour.
- Pronunciation: The phrase is pronounced as "myeot bu-ni-ye-yo?" The word "몇" (myeot) means "how many" or "what," and "분이에요" (bunieyo) means "minutes is."
4. 삼십 분이에요. (Samsip bunieyo.)
- Meaning: This phrase means "It's thirty minutes." It indicates the specific minutes past the hour.
- Usage: Use this phrase to tell the time when it is thirty minutes past the hour.
- Pronunciation: The phrase is pronounced as "sam-sip bu-ni-ye-yo." The word "삼십" (samsip) means "thirty," and "분이에요" (bunieyo) means "minutes is."
Vocabulary and Expressions
- 지금 (Jigeum): Now
- Example: "지금 뭐 해요?" (What are you doing now?).
- 몇 시예요 (Myeot siyeyo): What time is it
- Example: "몇 시에 만나요?" (What time are we meeting?).
- 두 (Du): Two
- Example: "두 개 주세요" (Please give me two).
- 시예요 (Siyeyo): O'clock
- Example: "세 시예요" (It's three o'clock).
- 몇 (Myeot): How many/What
- Example: "몇 살이에요?" (How old are you?).
- 분이에요 (Bunieyo): Minutes
- Example: "오 분이에요" (It's five minutes).
- 삼십 (Samsip): Thirty
- Example: "삼십 분" (Thirty minutes).
Additional Examples
- Discussing Different Times:
- A: 지금 몇 시예요? (Jigeum myeot siyeyo?) - What time is it now?
- B: 네 시예요. (Ne siyeyo.) - It's four o'clock.
- A: 몇 분이에요? (Myeot bunieyo?) - How many minutes?
- B: 사십오 분이에요. (Sasibo bunieyo.) - It's forty-five minutes.
- Talking About Time Informally:
- A: 지금 몇 시야? (Jigeum myeot siya?) - What time is it now? (informal)
- B: 두 시야. (Du siya.) - It's two o'clock. (informal)
- A: 몇 분이야? (Myeot bunya?) - How many minutes? (informal)
- B: 삼십 분이야. (Samsip bunya.) - It's thirty minutes. (informal)
When to Use These Phrases
- Formal Settings: Use these phrases in formal settings like professional environments, when meeting new people, or when talking to someone older or of higher status.
- Informal Settings: The informal versions can be used with friends, peers, or younger people in casual settings.
Things to Be Careful About
- Formality: Ensure you use the correct level of formality based on the situation. Using informal speech in a formal setting can be seen as disrespectful.
- Pronunciation: Pronounce each syllable clearly. Mispronouncing key phrases can lead to misunderstandings or seem impolite.
- Telling Time: Be precise when telling the time, especially in formal settings or important situations.
Pronunciation Tips
- 지금 몇 시예요? (Jigeum myeot siyeyo?): Break it down into syllables – "ji-geum myeot si-ye-yo?" The "지금" (jigeum) should be pronounced clearly.
- 두 시예요. (Du siyeyo.): Say it as "du si-ye-yo." Ensure to pronounce the "두" part smoothly.
- 몇 분이에요? (Myeot bunieyo?): Pronounce it as "myeot bu-ni-ye-yo?" The "몇" (myeot) should be pronounced with emphasis.
- 삼십 분이에요. (Samsip bunieyo.): Say it as "sam-sip bu-ni-ye-yo." The "삼십" (samsip) should be pronounced clearly, sounding like "sam-sip."
By understanding and practicing these basic Korean phrases, you can comfortably discuss and tell the time, enhancing your communication skills and cultural understanding in Korean-speaking environments. Happy learning!