一更

yīgēng

noun

Meanings

1 first night watch (about 7 to 9 pm)

Characters

Examples

HSK 3

一更天，街上就没什么人了。

Yīgēng tiān, jiēshàng jiù méi shénme rén le.

By the first watch, there was hardly anyone left on the streets.

HSK 4

一更刚过，城门就关上了。

Yīgēng gāng guò, chéngmén jiù guānshàng le.

Just after the first watch, the city gates were shut.

Tips

culture

Old China split the night into five watches (更) of about two hours: 一更 7 to 9 pm, 二更 9 to 11, 三更 11 to 1, 四更 1 to 3 and 五更 3 to 5 am. The first watch is also called 初更.

Stroke Order

一 yī

更 gèng