midnight; late at night; wee hours
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
midnight; the middle of the night; late at night
Originally referred to the third watch of the night (11pm–1am) in traditional Chinese timekeeping. Often used to emphasize the lateness of the hour. A variant of 半夜三更 (same meaning, reversed word order).
Tā他
jīng经
cháng常
zài在
sān三
gēng更
bàn半
yè夜
cái才
huí回
jiā家
。
He often doesn't come home until the middle of the night.
Sān三
gēng更
bàn半
yè夜
de的
，
nǐ你
dǎ打
diàn电
huà话
lái来
gàn干
má嘛
？
Why are you calling at this ungodly hour?
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Gé隔
bì壁
lín邻
jū居
sān三
gēng更
bàn半
yè夜
hái还
zài在
dà大
shēng声
fàng放
yīn音
yuè乐
。
The neighbor next door is still playing music loudly at midnight.