点⋯⋯分
diǎn …… fēn
Structure of times (advanced)
Minutes follow the hour with 分; halves and quarters have their own words.
Number + 点 + Number + 分
How it works
十一点十八分 is 11:18. In casual speech the 分 is often dropped: 十一点十八.
Half past is 半: 十一点半. A quarter is 刻: 三点一刻 (3:15), 三点三刻 (3:45). Minutes under ten take 零: 两点零五分.
To say "to" the hour, use 差: 差五分三点 is five to three.
Examples
xiàn zài shí yī diǎn shí bā fēn
现在十一点十八分。
It's 11:18.
wǒ men liù diǎn bàn chī fàn
我们六点半吃饭。
We eat at half past six.
chà wǔ fēn sān diǎn
差五分三点。
It's five to three.