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A2 noun 8 min de lectura

정오

jeong-o
Ejemplos Notas y consejos 정오 en 30 segundos
Explicación 정오 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you are just beginning to learn how to tell time. You likely know numbers and the word for 'hour' (시). While '정오' might seem a bit advanced, it's a very useful shortcut. Instead of saying '낮 열두 시' (12 o'clock in the day), you can simply say '정오'. Think of it as a special name for a specific time, just like 'noon' in English. At this stage, focus on using it with the particle '-에' to say when things happen. For example, '정오에 만나요' (Let's meet at noon). It is a noun, so it doesn't change its form. Just remember that it always means the 12:00 when the sun is out, not the 12:00 when you are sleeping. If you can use this word, you will sound a bit more organized than someone who only knows basic numbers.
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As an A2 learner, you are expanding your ability to talk about daily routines and schedules. '정오' is a key word for this. You should start using it to distinguish between morning (오전) and afternoon (오후). In Korea, many shops and offices have a lunch break starting at '정오'. You might see this word on signs or hear it in simple announcements. You should also be aware of its opposite, '자정' (midnight). Practice using '정오' in sentences that involve deadlines or meeting times. For example, '내일까지 정오까지 숙제를 내세요' (Submit your homework by noon tomorrow). At this level, you should also understand that '정오' is a bit more formal than '낮 12시'. Using it shows you are paying attention to the 'Sino-Korean' side of the language, which is very common in formal settings.
At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '정오' in a variety of grammatical structures. You can use it as a subject (정오가 되었다), as a starting point (정오부터), or as an endpoint (정오까지). You will also encounter it frequently in media. If you listen to Korean radio, you'll hear '정오의 희망곡' or similar titles. You should start to notice how '정오' is used in news reports to provide precise timing for events. At this stage, you should also be careful not to confuse '정오' with '점심'. One is a time, the other is a meal. You can say '정오에 점심을 먹어요' (I eat lunch at noon). You should also be able to use '정오경' (around noon) when you want to be slightly less precise but still sound professional.
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By the B2 level, you should understand the cultural and historical nuance of '정오'. You know that the '오' in '정오' comes from the zodiac sign of the Horse, which represents the midday period. This depth of understanding helps you remember the word more effectively. You should be able to use '정오' in more complex sentences, perhaps in a business presentation or a formal report. For example, '정오를 기점으로 기온이 급격히 상승했습니다' (Starting from noon, the temperature rose sharply). You should also be aware of literary uses, where '정오' might symbolize a peak, a moment of clarity, or the height of summer. At this level, you should never confuse '정오' with '자정' or use it incorrectly with native Korean time counters.
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At the C1 level, your use of '정오' should be flawless and contextually appropriate. You understand its role in formal documents, legal contracts, and academic writing. You might encounter the word in historical contexts, discussing how time was measured before modern clocks. You should also be aware of homonyms like '정오' (正誤), which means the correction of errors, often found in '정오표' (errata sheets) at the back of books. A C1 learner can appreciate the rhythmic and stylistic choice of using '정오' in poetry or high-level prose to create a specific atmosphere. You can discuss the etymology of the word and how it fits into the larger system of Sino-Korean timekeeping, demonstrating a deep linguistic mastery.
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At the C2 level, '정오' is a word you use instinctively and with perfect precision. You can navigate the most subtle differences between '정오', '한낮', '정오 정각', and '오시'. You are capable of interpreting complex metaphors involving '정오' in classical or modern literature. You might even use the word in philosophical discussions about the nature of time or the division of the day. Your mastery extends to understanding how '정오' functions in various dialects or specialized professional fields (like meteorology or navigation). For a C2 speaker, '정오' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a precise tool used to construct nuanced, professional, and culturally resonant communication in the Korean language.
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Ejemplos Notas y consejos

정오 en 30 segundos

  • 정오 means 'noon' or '12:00 PM' in Korean. It is a formal Sino-Korean noun used for precise timekeeping in official and literary contexts.
  • Unlike the meal 'lunch' (점심), 정오 refers strictly to the clock time. It is the exact midpoint of the daytime hours.
  • It is commonly heard in news broadcasts ('정오 뉴스') and radio show titles, symbolizing a transition from morning to afternoon.
  • The word is the direct antonym of 자정 (midnight) and is typically used with the time particle -에 to mean 'at noon'.

The Korean word 정오 (Jeong-o) is a precise noun that translates to "noon" or "midday" in English. Derived from Hanja (Chinese characters), it specifically refers to the exact moment of twelve o'clock in the daytime. While English speakers often use "noon" and "12 PM" interchangeably, 정오 carries a slightly more formal, objective, or literary tone compared to the more colloquial 열두 시 (yeol-du si). In the rhythmic cycle of a Korean day, 정오 marks the transition from 오전 (ojeon - morning/AM) to 오후 (ohu - afternoon/PM). Understanding this word requires looking at its linguistic roots: 正 (jeong) meaning 'correct' or 'center', and 午 (o) representing the 'horse' in the zodiac, which traditionally corresponds to the time block between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Thus, 정오 is the 'true center' of that period.

Formal Contexts
You will frequently encounter this word in news broadcasts, official announcements, weather reports, and literary works. It is the preferred term when an absolute, standardized time reference is needed for the middle of the day.
Daily Life
In casual conversation, Koreans might say 'lunchtime' or '12 o'clock', but 정오 is used when emphasizing the specific temporal boundary. For example, 'The sale starts at noon' would likely use 정오 to sound definitive.

비행기는 정오에 출발합니다. (The plane departs at noon.)

Historically, the concept of 정오 was vital for sundial measurements and traditional timekeeping. In modern Korea, it remains a pillar of the daily schedule, especially for workers and students who view it as the universal signal for the lunch break. It is also a popular name for radio programs, such as '정오의 희망곡' (Noon's Hope Song), which targets listeners during their midday rest. Because it is a Sino-Korean word, it pairs naturally with other formal vocabulary. When you use 정오, you are not just stating the time; you are situating your sentence within a framework of professional or standard Korean usage. It avoids the ambiguity that '12:00' sometimes has in written text, where AM and PM might be confused if the context is thin.

정오가 되자 사이렌이 울렸다. (As it became noon, the siren sounded.)

Contrast with Midnight
The direct counterpart to 정오 is 자정 (jajeong), meaning midnight. Both are formal Sino-Korean terms used to divide the day into its most significant halves.

Using 정오 correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a time-indicating noun. Most frequently, it is followed by the time particle -에 (e), which functions like 'at' in English. Because 정오 is a noun, it can also act as the subject or object of a sentence, though this is less common than its use as an adverbial time marker. When describing events that happen exactly at midday, 정오 정각 (jeong-o jeong-gak) is used to mean 'exactly noon' or 'noon sharp'.

우리는 정오에 만나기로 했습니다. (We agreed to meet at noon.)

In more descriptive or literary contexts, you might see 정오 combined with verbs like 지나다 (to pass) or 다가오다 (to approach). For instance, '정오가 지나서' means 'after noon has passed'. It is important to note that while 정오 is formal, it isn't 'stiff'. It fits comfortably in a business email or a polite conversation with a stranger. If you are writing a report about a meeting, using 정오 instead of 낮 12시 shows a higher level of vocabulary proficiency.

Subject Marker
When 정오 is the subject: 정오가 벌써 지났어요. (Noon has already passed.)
Duration
To express 'from noon', use 정오부터. For 'until noon', use 정오까지.

회의는 정오부터 시작됩니다. (The meeting starts from noon.)

Consider the difference between 낮 (daytime) and 정오 (noon). 낮 refers to the entire period when the sun is up, whereas 정오 is the specific point. In Korean, precision is valued in formal settings, so if a deadline is 12:00 PM, specifying 정오 leaves no room for error. In creative writing, 정오의 태양 (the midday sun) is a common trope to describe intense heat or light. By mastering these patterns, you can transition from basic time-telling to more sophisticated Korean expression.

In South Korea, 정오 is a staple of broadcast media. If you turn on the radio or television around midday, you will almost certainly hear this word. News programs often have a 'Noon News' (정오 뉴스) segment. This is the time when major morning developments are summarized. Radio DJs use the word to welcome listeners to the second half of the day. Because Korean culture is highly scheduled—with strict lunch hours from 12:00 to 1:00—the word 정오 acts as a psychological bell for millions of workers.

KBS 정오 뉴스입니다. (This is the KBS Noon News.)

You will also see this word on public transportation schedules, specifically for KTX trains or long-distance buses. It is used to avoid the confusion of 12:00 AM vs 12:00 PM on printed tickets. In academic settings, professors might set a deadline as 정오 to ensure students don't submit assignments at midnight by mistake. In literature and film, 정오 is often used to set a scene of stillness, heat, or a turning point in a story. The 'High Noon' trope exists in Korean storytelling as well, where the lack of shadows at 정오 symbolizes truth or a moment of reckoning.

Public Announcements
In parks or government buildings, a chime or a short melody often plays at 정오 to help people keep track of time.
Radio Stations
Programs like '정오의 희망곡 김신영입니다' are iconic in Korean pop culture, making the word familiar even to children.

열차는 정오에 서울역에 도착합니다. (The train arrives at Seoul Station at noon.)

Finally, in the digital age, smartphone apps and weather widgets often use the Hanja-derived 정오 in their UI to save space and maintain a clean, professional aesthetic. When you hear a Korean person say 정오, they are likely speaking with a degree of intentionality or referring to a formal schedule. If you want to sound more like a native speaker who is organized and precise, incorporating 정오 into your time-related vocabulary is a great step.

The most frequent mistake learners make with 정오 is confusing it with midnight. In English, '12:00' can be ambiguous, but in Korean, 정오 (noon) and 자정 (midnight) are distinct and never swapped. Another common error is using Native Korean numbers with 정오. Since 정오 is already a complete time noun, you do not need to say 정오 시. You just say 정오. If you want to use '12', you must use Native Korean numbers with the counter 시 (열두 시), but 정오 stands alone.

Incorrect: 정오 시에 만나요. (Let's meet at noon o'clock.)

Correct: 정오에 만나요. (Let's meet at noon.)

Learners also sometimes confuse 정오 with 점심 (lunch). While they happen at the same time, they are different parts of speech. You can 'eat lunch' (점심을 먹다), but you cannot 'eat noon'. Similarly, don't use 정오 when you mean 'afternoon' in general. For a range of time after 12:00, use 오후. 정오 is a point, not a period. If you say 'I worked during noon', it sounds like you worked for one second at 12:00:00.

Confusing AM/PM
Some learners use 오전 12시 for noon. While technically possible, 정오 or 낮 12시 is much clearer to avoid midnight confusion.
Spelling
Don't confuse 정오 with 종오 or 정우. The '오' (o) is crucial as it refers to the Hanja for 'noon/horse'.

Incorrect: 정오를 먹었습니다. (I ate noon.)

Correct: 점심을 먹었습니다. (I ate lunch.)

Lastly, remember the politeness level. While 정오 is a noun and doesn't change based on who you talk to, the verb ending does. Using 정오 with a very casual ending like -야 might feel a bit mismatched in tone, though it's not grammatically wrong. It's best used with polite (-아요/어요) or formal (-습니다) endings to maintain its refined nuance.

When you want to talk about the middle of the day, 정오 is the most precise term, but there are several alternatives depending on the context and level of formality. The most common alternative is 낮 12시 (nat yeol-du si), which literally means '12 o'clock in the day'. This is the standard way to say '12 PM' in daily life. Another related term is 한낮 (hannat), which refers to 'broad daylight' or 'the middle of the day' in a more general, descriptive sense rather than a specific clock time.

정오 vs. 낮 12시
정오: Formal, written, precise, Sino-Korean.
낮 12시: Casual, spoken, descriptive, mixed Native/Sino-Korean.
정오 vs. 자정
These are opposites. 정오 is 12:00 PM; 자정 is 12:00 AM (midnight).

한낮의 열기는 대단했다. (The midday heat was incredible.)

If you are talking about the period surrounding noon, you might use 오전 (morning) or 오후 (afternoon). For example, 'late morning' is 늦은 오전. If you want to say 'around noon', you can add the suffix -경 (-gyeong) to get 정오경. This is very common in news reports when an exact second isn't known. In very formal or archaic settings, you might hear 오시 (O-si), which is the traditional 'Hour of the Horse' (11 AM - 1 PM), but this is rarely used in modern life except in fortune-telling or historical dramas.

사고는 정오경에 발생했습니다. (The accident occurred around noon.)

In summary, choose 정오 for precision and formality, 낮 12시 for everyday chatting, and 한낮 for poetic or descriptive purposes. Knowing these distinctions allows you to tailor your Korean to the specific situation, sounding more natural and sophisticated to native ears.

Dato curioso

In the traditional East Asian time system, the day was divided into 12 'double hours' named after zodiac animals. The Horse (午) was the animal for midday because it is most active when the sun is highest.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /tɕʌŋ.o/
US /tʃʌŋ.oʊ/
In Korean, syllables generally have equal length and pitch, but a slight emphasis may fall on the first syllable '정'.
Rima con
경오 (Gyeong-o) 성오 (Seong-o) 영오 (Yeong-o) 용오 (Yong-o) 동오 (Dong-o) 공오 (Gong-o) 병오 (Byeong-o) 청오 (Cheong-o)
Errores comunes
  • Pronouncing '정' like the English name 'Jung' with a hard 'u'. It should be an 'eo' sound (open 'o').
  • Adding a 'w' sound before the 'o', making it sound like '정워'. Keep the 'o' pure.
  • Pronouncing it as one syllable. It must be two distinct syllables: Jeong-o.
  • Confusing the 'o' with 'u' (정우).
  • Nasalizing the 'ng' too heavily into the next syllable.
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Ejemplos por nivel

1

정오에 만나요.

Let's meet at noon.

Uses the time particle -에 (at).

2

지금은 정오입니다.

Now it is noon.

Formal polite ending -입니다.

3

정오에 점심을 먹어요.

I eat lunch at noon.

Distinguishes between time (정오) and meal (점심).

4

정오가 되었어요.

It has become noon.

Uses the verb 되다 (to become).

5

정오에 학교에 가요.

I go to school at noon.

A1 basic sentence structure.

6

정오에 전화하세요.

Please call at noon.

Imperative form -세요.

7

정오는 12시예요.

Noon is 12 o'clock.

Equative sentence with -예요.

8

정오에 해가 밝아요.

The sun is bright at noon.

Descriptive adjective 밝다.

1

정오부터 오후 1시까지 점심시간입니다.

Lunch time is from noon to 1 PM.

Uses -부터 (from) and -까지 (until).

2

내일 정오에 회의가 있어요.

There is a meeting at noon tomorrow.

Future time reference with '내일'.

3

정오가 지나서 도착했어요.

I arrived after noon had passed.

Uses -아서/어서 for sequence.

4

정오 정각에 알람이 울려요.

The alarm rings at exactly noon.

정각 means 'exactly' or 'sharp'.

5

정오에는 보통 날씨가 더워요.

It is usually hot at noon.

Topic marker -는 added to the time particle.

6

우리는 정오에 박물관 앞에서 볼까요?

Shall we meet in front of the museum at noon?

Suggestive ending -(으)ㄹ까요?.

7

정오까지 서류를 보내 주세요.

Please send the documents by noon.

Deadline expressed with -까지.

8

그 영화는 정오에 시작합니다.

That movie starts at noon.

Formal verb ending -합니다.

1

정오의 희망곡은 제가 제일 좋아하는 라디오 프로그램이에요.

Noon's Hope Song is my favorite radio program.

Possessive particle -의.

2

정오가 다 되어서야 잠에서 깨어났어요.

I only woke up when it was almost noon.

-어서야 emphasizes a delayed action.

3

정오를 기점으로 분위기가 바뀌었습니다.

The atmosphere changed starting from noon.

-를 기점으로 means 'starting from/as a turning point'.

4

정오쯤에 비가 그칠 것으로 보입니다.

It seems the rain will stop around noon.

-쯤 means 'around/approximately'.

5

그는 정오가 되기 무섭게 식당으로 달려갔다.

As soon as it became noon, he ran to the restaurant.

-기 무섭게 means 'as soon as'.

6

정오의 태양 아래서 일하는 것은 힘들어요.

Working under the midday sun is difficult.

Noun phrase '정오의 태양'.

7

정오에 발표될 성명을 기다리고 있습니다.

We are waiting for the statement to be announced at noon.

Passive-like structure '발표될'.

8

버스는 정오에 맞춰서 터미널에 들어왔다.

The bus entered the terminal right on time for noon.

-에 맞춰서 means 'in time for/according to'.

1

정오의 정적을 깨는 사이렌 소리가 들렸다.

A siren was heard breaking the silence of noon.

Descriptive noun phrase.

2

정오가 지나자 그림자가 길어지기 시작했다.

As noon passed, the shadows began to lengthen.

-자 means 'as soon as/when'.

3

정오에 예정되었던 행사가 우천으로 취소되었습니다.

The event scheduled for noon was canceled due to rain.

Formal passive '예정되었던'.

4

그 소설은 정오의 뜨거운 열기를 배경으로 시작한다.

The novel begins against the backdrop of the midday heat.

-를 배경으로 (with ... as a background).

5

정오 무렵이면 시장은 사람들로 북적거린다.

Around noon, the market is crowded with people.

무렵 (around time) and 북적거리다 (to be crowded).

6

정오가 다가올수록 긴장감이 고조되었다.

The tension heightened as noon approached.

-(으)ㄹ수록 (the more... the more...).

7

정오에 맞춰 시계를 조정했다.

I adjusted my watch to match noon.

조정하다 (to adjust).

8

정오의 햇살이 창가를 환하게 비추고 있었다.

The midday sunlight was brightly illuminating the window.

Progressive form -고 있었다.

1

정오의 태양은 만물을 공평하게 비춘다.

The midday sun shines on all things equally.

Philosophical subject usage.

2

정오를 알리는 종소리가 온 마을에 울려 퍼졌다.

The sound of the bell announcing noon echoed throughout the village.

-를 알리는 (that announces).

3

정오의 고요함 속에서 그는 깊은 사색에 잠겼다.

In the stillness of noon, he was lost in deep thought.

사색에 잠기다 (to be lost in thought).

4

정오가 지나면 그림자는 더 이상 발밑에 머물지 않는다.

Once noon passes, shadows no longer stay beneath one's feet.

Scientific/Literary observation.

5

정오의 뜨거운 지열이 아스팔트 위로 아지랑이를 피워 올렸다.

The hot ground heat of noon sent heat haze shimmering up from the asphalt.

Advanced vocabulary like 지열 and 아지랑이.

6

정오를 기해 전국에서 동시다발적인 시위가 시작되었다.

Starting at noon, simultaneous protests began across the country.

-를 기해 (starting from a specific time).

7

정오의 빛은 색채를 가장 정직하게 드러낸다.

The light of noon reveals colors most honestly.

Abstract noun usage.

8

정오에 멈춰버린 시계는 그의 시간이 정지했음을 암시했다.

The clock stopped at noon suggested that his time had come to a standstill.

Symbolic literary structure.

1

정오의 극점은 하루의 에너지가 가장 응집되는 순간이다.

The pinnacle of noon is the moment when the day's energy is most concentrated.

Highly formal/Academic vocabulary.

2

정오(正午)라는 단어 속에는 천간지지의 오(午)시가 내포되어 있다.

The word 'Jeong-o' contains the 'O' hour of the Sexagenary Cycle.

Etymological explanation.

3

정오의 태양광이 연출하는 명암의 대비는 극적이었다.

The contrast of light and shadow produced by the midday sunlight was dramatic.

Artistic/Critical analysis.

4

그는 정오의 찬란함보다는 자정의 은밀함을 선호했다.

He preferred the secrecy of midnight over the brilliance of noon.

Complex comparison.

5

정오를 경계로 오전의 번잡함은 오후의 나른함으로 전이된다.

With noon as the boundary, the morning's bustle transitions into afternoon's lethargy.

Sophisticated verbs like 전이되다.

6

정오의 수직적인 빛은 모든 위선을 낱낱이 파헤치는 듯했다.

The vertical light of noon seemed to uncover every hypocrisy in detail.

Metaphorical/Philosophical.

7

정오의 만조 시간과 겹쳐 해안가 도로가 침수되었다.

Overlapping with the high tide at noon, the coastal road was flooded.

Technical/Environmental context.

8

정오의 태양이 정수리에 꽂히는 듯한 무더위가 계속되었다.

The sweltering heat continued, as if the midday sun were piercing the crown of one's head.

Vivid idiomatic expression.

Colocaciones comunes

정오 뉴스
정오 정각
정오를 기해
정오가 지나다
정오의 태양
정오 무렵
정오에 만나다
정오부터
정오까지
정오의 희망곡

Frases Comunes

정오가 다 되다

— To be almost noon.

벌써 정오가 다 되었네.

정오를 넘기다

— To pass the noon hour (often while working).

일하다 보니 정오를 넘겼어요.

정오의 정적

— The silence of midday.

정오의 정적 속에 새소리만 들린다.

정오에 맞추다

— To time something for noon.

알람을 정오에 맞췄어요.

정오의 햇살

— Midday sunlight.

정오의 햇살이 따뜻해요.

정오 뉴스 브리핑

— Noon news briefing.

정오 뉴스 브리핑을 확인하세요.

정오를 기점으로

— With noon as the starting point.

정오를 기점으로 비가 그쳤다.

정오의 휴식

— Midday rest/break.

정오의 휴식은 꿀맛이다.

정오가 찾아오다

— Noon arrives.

어느덧 정오가 찾아왔다.

정오의 그림자

— Midday shadow (usually very short).

정오의 그림자는 짧다.

Modismos y expresiones

"정오의 태양처럼"

— Radiant, intense, or at the peak of one's power.

그녀의 인기는 정오의 태양처럼 뜨거웠다.

Literary
"정오가 지나면 그림자가 길어진다"

— Things naturally decline after reaching their peak.

정오가 지나면 그림자가 길어지듯 영광도 끝이 있다.

Philosophical
"정오의 나팔 소리"

— A clear, undeniable signal or wake-up call.

그의 충고는 나에게 정오의 나팔 소리 같았다.

Poetic
"정오의 신기루"

— Something that seems real but is an illusion caused by intensity.

그 계획은 정오의 신기루처럼 사라졌다.

Literary
"정오의 시계"

— A symbol of perfect timing or a deadline.

우리는 정오의 시계에 맞춰 움직여야 한다.

Neutral
"정오의 한복판"

— Right in the middle of everything.

그는 갈등의 정오의 한복판에 서 있었다.

Metaphorical
"정오의 뙤약볕"

— The scorching midday sun.

정오의 뙤약볕 아래서 밭을 갈았다.

Descriptive
"정오의 종소리"

— A universal signal for a break or change.

정오의 종소리가 들리자 모두 하던 일을 멈췄다.

Neutral
"정오를 가리키다"

— To point exactly to the truth or the climax.

모든 증거가 정오를 가리키고 있다.

Metaphorical
"정오의 열기"

— The peak of passion or activity.

축제의 정오의 열기는 대단했다.

Descriptive

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

정오 (noon)
오전 (morning)
오후 (afternoon)
자정 (midnight)

Verbos

정오가 되다 (to become noon)

Relacionado

시 (hour)
분 (minute)
태양 (sun)
점심 (lunch)
낮 (daytime)
Regístrate gratis para ver todos los ejemplos

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'Jeong' as 'Just' and 'O' as 'Overhead'. At 정오, the sun is 'Just Overhead'.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Hanja 正午. 正 (정) means 'straight', 'correct', or 'center'. 午 (오) refers to the 'Horse' in the Chinese zodiac, which represents the time from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Significado original: The 'True Horse Hour', referring to the exact middle of the 11 AM - 1 PM time block.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based vocabulary).
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Contenido relacionado

Esta palabra en otros idiomas

中午 Chinesisch noon Englisch
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