几点 vs 什么时候 (jǐ diǎn vs shénme shíhou): asking about time
几点 (jǐ diǎn) asks for a specific clock time, such as 'what time' on a 24-hour or 12-hour clock. 什么时候 (shénme shíhou) asks for a broader time reference, like 'when' in terms of days, dates, or occasions. Use 几点 when you expect a numeric hour-based answer, and 什么时候 for general temporal information.
In Chinese, both 几点 (jǐ diǎn) and 什么时候 (shénme shíhou) are used to ask about time, but they differ in the scope of the answer. 几点 asks for a specific clock time, usually answered with a number (e.g., 'three o'clock'). 什么时候 is more general, asking for a point in time that could be a day, month, year, or event. The key is whether you expect a precise hour/minute answer (use 几点) or a broader temporal reference (use 什么时候).
When to use each
Use 几点 when you want to know the specific hour and minute on a clock, such as the current time or the scheduled time of an event. It is appropriate for questions like 'What time is the meeting?' or 'What time do you get off work?'.
几点 can also be used with other time words, e.g., 几点钟 (jǐ diǎn zhōng) for emphasis on o'clock, but this is not common in modern Chinese.
Use 什么时候 to ask about a time that is not limited to clock hours. It can refer to days, dates, months, years, or even an unspecified point in time. For example, 'When is your birthday?' or 'When did you come to China?'.
什么时候 can be used in past, present, and future contexts, and can also ask for a 'when' in terms of conditions, e.g., 'When will you be free?'
At a glance
| 几点 | 什么时候 | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of the answer | Specific clock time (hours/minutes) | General time (day/date/period) |
| Typical answer format | e.g., 三点 (3 o'clock), 六点二十 | e.g., 明天 (tomorrow), 星期一 (Monday) |
| Used for scheduling events | Often used for exact times | Used for both exact and vague times |
| Can ask about current clock time? | Yes | No (use 几点 for current time) |
Examples
- 几点现在几点？Xiànzài jǐ diǎn?What time is it now?
- 什么时候我们什么时候去？Wǒmen shénme shíhou qù?When are we going?
- 几点你几点起床？Nǐ jǐ diǎn qǐchuáng?What time do you get up?Asks for a specific clock time.
- 什么时候你什么时候起床？Nǐ shénme shíhou qǐchuáng?When do you get up?Could refer to the time of day generally, e.g., 'early morning' rather than a specific hour.
- 几点会议是几点？Huìyì shì jǐ diǎn?What time is the meeting?Expects an hour answer.
- 什么时候他们什么时候到？Tāmen shénme shíhou dào?When will they arrive?Could be answered with 'today' or 'in the afternoon'.
Common mistakes
- Using 几点 to ask for a date (e.g., ‘你的生日是几点？’) — use 什么时候 instead.
- Using 什么时候 to ask for the exact current time (e.g., ‘现在什么时候？’) — use 几点 for clock time.
- Using 几点 when the answer is not a clock time (e.g., asking ‘你几点有空？’ when you expect a day) — use 什么时候.
FAQ
- When do I use 几点 vs 什么时候?
- Use 几点 to ask for a specific clock time (hours and minutes). Use 什么时候 to ask for a general time, such as a day, date, or event. For example, '你几点上班？' asks for the exact hour you start work, while '你什么时候上班？' could ask for the start time of a shift or the day you start a new job.
- Can I use 什么时候 to ask what time it is right now?
- No, for the current time, always use 几点: '现在几点？'. Use 什么时候 only for events or points in time that are not clock-specific.
- If I want to ask 'When is the meeting?', which should I use?
- It depends on what answer you expect. If you want the exact hour, use 几点. If you want the day or date, use 什么时候. Often, both are possible with different interpretations.