两点 (liǎng diǎn) — two o'clock; two points (in scoring, marking, or geometry)

Definition

两点 (liǎng diǎn) is the standard spoken way to say 'two o'clock' — 钟头/zhōngtóu is often left out. The second sense 'two points' (scores, decimals, geometry) reads literally, as in 'two dots'.

noun
two o'clocktwo points (in scoring, marking, or geometry)

Examples

  • 两点。
    Wǒ men liǎng diǎn zài chē zhàn jiàn miàn ba.
    Let's meet at the station at two o'clock.
  • 两点，两点。
    Kǎo shì mǎn fēn shì shí liǎng diǎn, tā dé le jiǔ liǎng diǎn.
    The exam had a total of ten points, and he got nine.
  • 两点，。
    Xiàn zài cái liǎng diǎn, wǒ men hái yǒu shí jiān chī fàn.
    It's only two o'clock now; we still have time to eat.

Origin

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 兩; 两 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 兩 is described as combining 一 and 㒳. The simplified 两 is a later abbreviation.

Open 两 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 點; 点 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
黑黑hēiblack
Sound part声符shēngfú
占
占zhàn點diǎn(r)
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 點 pairs 黑 (black) with 占 for its sound; the simplified 点 is a later abbreviation.

Open 点 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.