钟 (zhōng) · clock, bell, time (in minutes)

Measure Word

一座钟 zuò

Meanings

1 clock
2 bell
3 time (in minutes)

Characters

钟

zhōng

clock; bell

Contains the metal radical 钅, since bells and clocks are traditionally made of metal.

Examples

HSK 1

现在几点钟了？

Xiànzài jǐ diǎn zhōng le?

What time is it now?

HSK 3

五分钟以后出发。

Wǔ fēnzhōng yǐhòu chūfā.

We'll depart in five minutes.

HSK 5

墙上挂着一座钟。

Qiángshàng guà zhe yí zuò zhōng.

There's a clock hanging on the wall.

Tips

usage

分钟 = minute. 小时 = hour. 点钟 = o'clock. 钟头 = hour (colloquial).

Components

radical

钅 jīn

metal; gold

Metal radical on the left - the simplified left-side form of 金 (a roof above metal nuggets in earth). It supplies meaning: 钟 is a metal bell or a clock cast from metal. Same radical heads the broader metals/tools family: 钢 (steel), 银 (silver), 铁 (iron), 钱 (money) - anything cast or forged.

phonetic

中 zhōng

middle; center

中 (zhōng) supplies the sound exactly, no tone shift. This is the simplified swap-in for the much busier 童 (in 鐘) and 重 (in 鍾). Same phonetic family: 仲 (middle of three brothers), 忠 (loyal). The image - a banner pierced by a vertical mast - has no semantic role here; pure sound.