“午夜” (wǔyè) directly translates to “midnight” in English. It refers to 12 AM, the middle of the night. You'll often hear it in contexts like “午夜十二点” (wǔyè shí'èr diǎn) for 12 o'clock midnight, or to describe something happening in the very late hours. It’s a common and practical word to know when talking about time in Chinese.
It’s important to distinguish “午夜” from “半夜” (bànyè). While both refer to late night, “午夜” specifically means 12 AM, whereas “半夜” is a more general term for the middle of the night, which could be any time from late evening to early morning. For example, if you say “我半夜醒了” (wǒ bànyè xǐng le), it means you woke up in the middle of the night, but not necessarily at exactly 12 AM.
§ What does 午夜 (wǔ yè) mean?
Let's talk about 午夜 (wǔ yè). This word is straightforward: it means midnight. Just like in English, it refers to the middle of the night, specifically 12 AM. It's a common term you'll hear and use when talking about times and plans.
You might be thinking, "Okay, so it's midnight. When do I actually use this word in Chinese?" Good question. You use 午夜 (wǔ yè) whenever you need to specify midnight, whether you're talking about a time something happens, a deadline, or just describing a general period.
- DEFINITION
- Midnight. The exact time of 12 AM.
§ Common Uses of 午夜 (wǔ yè)
Here are some common situations where you'll use 午夜 (wǔ yè):
- Setting deadlines: If something is due by midnight, you'll hear 午夜 (wǔ yè).
- Discussing events or activities: For anything that happens around or at 12 AM.
- Expressing time: Simply stating the time is midnight.
- Describing the late night hours: It can also be used a bit more broadly to mean the very late part of the night.
电影在午夜开始。
This translates to: The movie starts at midnight. (电影 (diàn yǐng) - movie, 在 (zài) - at, 开始 (kāi shǐ) - start)
他工作到午夜。
This means: He worked until midnight. (他 (tā) - he, 工作 (gōng zuò) - work, 到 (dào) - until)
商店营业到午夜。
Translation: The shop is open until midnight. (商店 (shāng diàn) - shop, 营业 (yíng yè) - open for business, 到 (dào) - until)
§ Don't Overcomplicate It
Sometimes learners try to find super complicated ways to say things in Chinese. With 午夜 (wǔ yè), there's no need. It's direct, it's clear, and it's what native speakers use. Don't worry about trying to find synonyms or more "poetic" ways to say it, especially at the A1 level. Stick to 午夜 (wǔ yè) and you'll be understood perfectly.
Understanding when to use 午夜 (wǔ yè) is pretty intuitive once you get the hang of it. Just like in English, if you're talking about that specific point in time when one day officially ends and the next begins, 午夜 (wǔ yè) is your word. It's not usually used for a general "late night" period unless you're emphasizing how late it was, close to 12 AM.
So, to recap, 午夜 (wǔ yè) is simply midnight. Use it when you mean 12 AM. No fuss, no confusion. Keep it simple and you'll be speaking Chinese clearly and correctly in no time.
How Formal Is It?
"子夜时分，人们还在熟睡中。 (At midnight, people were still fast asleep.)"
"我昨晚工作到午夜。 (I worked until midnight last night.)"
"他半夜才回家。 (He didn't come home until the middle of the night.)"
"等到晚上十二点，灰姑娘的魔法就消失了。 (By twelve o'clock at night, Cinderella's magic disappeared.)"
"他是个夜猫子，常常熬到半夜。 (He's a night owl, often staying up until midnight.)"
Exemplos por nível
现在是午夜。
Now is midnight.
他在午夜回家。
He at midnight go home.
我喜欢午夜的安静。
I like midnight's quiet.
商店在午夜关门。
Shop at midnight close door.
我们工作到午夜。
We work until midnight.
午夜后，天很黑。
Midnight after, sky very dark.
她常常在午夜看书。
She often at midnight read book.
火车在午夜出发。
Train at midnight depart.
我昨晚工作到午夜。
I worked until midnight last night.
午夜时分，街上几乎没有人。
At midnight, there was almost no one on the street.
我们午夜前必须回家。
We must go home before midnight.
电影午夜才开始。
The movie doesn't start until midnight.
午夜的钟声响了。
The midnight bell rang.
他常常午夜才睡觉。
He often goes to bed at midnight.
商店营业到午夜。
The store is open until midnight.
午夜过后，派对才真正热闹起来。
The party really got lively after midnight.
Como usar
午夜 (wǔ yè) literally means 'mid-night'. It refers to 12 AM. In everyday conversation, you can use it to specify a time:
- 我们约在午夜见面。 (Wǒmen yuē zài wǔyè jiànmiàn.) - We arranged to meet at midnight.
- 商店营业到午夜。 (Shāngdiàn yíngyè dào wǔyè.) - The store is open until midnight.
It's generally used for a specific point in time, not a duration.
A common mistake is confusing 午夜 (wǔ yè) with 半夜 (bànyè). While both relate to the middle of the night:
- 午夜 (wǔ yè) is precisely 12 AM.
- 半夜 (bànyè) refers to the general middle of the night, which could be anytime from late evening to early morning. It's more of a descriptive term for a period.
For example, you would say:
- 他午夜才回家。 (Tā wǔyè cái huí jiā.) - He didn't get home until midnight. (Specific time)
- 他喜欢半夜吃东西。 (Tā xǐhuān bànyè chī dōngxi.) - He likes to eat in the middle of the night. (General period)
Avoid using 午夜 to describe a general time span.
Pratique na vida real
Contextos reais
Talking about time in general, specifically referring to the middle of the night.
- 现在是午夜。
- It is midnight now.
- 午夜时分。
- Midnight hour.
- 直到午夜。
- Until midnight.
Discussing plans or events that happen late at night.
- 我们午夜见面。
- We'll meet at midnight.
- 派对持续到午夜。
- The party lasted until midnight.
- 午夜电影。
- Midnight movie.
Referring to the beginning of a new day.
- 午夜过后。
- After midnight.
- 新的日子从午夜开始。
- A new day starts at midnight.
- 过了午夜。
- Past midnight.
Describing activities that take place very late.
- 他工作到午夜。
- He works until midnight.
- 午夜吃点心。
- Midnight snack.
- 午夜跑步。
- Midnight run.
In a more figurative or poetic sense, relating to darkness or the quiet of night.
- 午夜的寂静。
- The silence of midnight.
- 午夜的黑暗。
- The darkness of midnight.
- 午夜的心情。
- Midnight mood.
Iniciadores de conversa
"你通常午夜做什么？"
"你喜欢午夜出去吗？"
"你记得有一次午夜发生了什么有趣的事吗？"
"如果可以，你希望午夜有什么不同的？"
"你觉得午夜是最忙的时候还是最安静的时候？"
Temas para diário
描述一个你经历过的午夜场景。你当时在做什么？感觉如何？
写一篇关于你理想的午夜活动的日记。你会和谁一起做？去哪里？
想象一下，如果你可以在午夜拥有一个特殊的超能力，你会选择什么？为什么？
记录下你对午夜的看法。你觉得它神秘、安静，还是别的什么？
如果午夜能说话，你觉得它会告诉你什么故事？
Teste-se 54 perguntas
Write a short sentence about what time you go to bed, using '午夜'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我午夜睡觉。
Write a sentence saying you will meet someone at midnight.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我们午夜见面。
Describe an event that happens at midnight, using '午夜'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
派对午夜开始。
我什么时候回家？
Read this passage:
今天我工作到很晚。我在午夜才回家。我太累了，想睡觉。
我什么时候回家？
文章中说“我在午夜才回家。”
文章中说“我在午夜才回家。”
商店什么时候关门？
Read this passage:
商店开到很晚。它在午夜关门。明天早上九点再开。
商店什么时候关门？
文章中说“它在午夜关门。”
文章中说“它在午夜关门。”
我们什么时候见面？
Read this passage:
我们约定在午夜见面。这是一个秘密。请不要告诉别人。
我们什么时候见面？
文章中说“我们约定在午夜见面。”
文章中说“我们约定在午夜见面。”
I fell asleep at midnight last night.
The city is very quiet at midnight.
Can you finish your homework before midnight?
Read this aloud:
请说：我喜欢在午夜看星星。
Focus: 午夜 (wǔ yè)
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
请说：商店午夜关门。
Focus: 午夜 (wǔ yè)
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
请说：他们约好午夜见面。
Focus: 午夜 (wǔ yè)
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
我们计划在____举行一个派对。
The sentence talks about holding a party at a specific time. '午夜' (midnight) fits the context of a party that often extends late.
电影院的最后一场电影通常在____结束。
Movie showings often conclude very late at night. '午夜' (midnight) is the most appropriate time.
据说，在____，这座古老的城堡会变得异常安静。
This sentence describes an old castle becoming unusually quiet at a specific time, implying a late-night, mysterious atmosphere. '午夜' (midnight) fits this best.
火车预计____抵达终点站。
Trains can arrive at their destination at any time, but '午夜' (midnight) is a common specific time mentioned for long-distance travel.
新年倒计时会在____钟声敲响时达到高潮。
New Year's Eve countdowns famously culminate at '午夜' (midnight).
许多商店在____前提供特别折扣。
Retail promotions, especially online, often end at '午夜' (midnight).
她通常___才睡觉，真是个夜猫子。
“午夜”指的是半夜十二点，符合“夜猫子”的习惯。
派对一直持续到___，大家玩得很开心。
“派对一直持续到午夜”表示派对直到半夜才结束，符合语境。
这座城市到了___依然灯火通明，非常热闹。
“到了午夜依然灯火通明”表示即使到了半夜，城市还是亮着灯，很繁华。
“午夜”是指早上十二点。
“午夜”是指晚上十二点，也就是半夜。
电影通常在“午夜”场结束后开始售票。
电影通常在“午夜”场之前或之后售票，但“午夜”场本身是电影放映的时间。
跨年夜的时候，很多人会熬夜到“午夜”等待新年的到来。
跨年夜，人们确实会熬夜到半夜十二点（午夜）迎接新年。
I worked until midnight yesterday.
At midnight, the city is still brightly lit.
Do you like watching movies at midnight?
Read this aloud:
午夜十二点是新的一天的开始。
Focus: 午夜 (wǔ yè)
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
商店营业到午夜。
Focus: 营业 (yíng yè)
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我们约好午夜见面。
Focus: 见面 (jiàn miàn)
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'It's midnight, you should go to sleep.' The structure is 'time + 了 + subject + 应该 + action + 了' to indicate a suggestion due to the time.
This sentence means 'This movie plays until midnight.' '一直...到...' indicates that an action continues until a certain point.
This sentence means 'He always works until after midnight before resting.' '总是...才...' implies an action only happens after a specific condition is met.
Choose the most appropriate synonym for “午夜” in the following sentence: “他直到午夜才回家。”
“半夜” directly translates to 'middle of the night' and is often used interchangeably with “午夜” (midnight). The other options refer to different times of the day: early morning, dusk, and morning.
Which of the following phrases correctly uses “午夜” to describe a specific time?
“午夜场” refers to a 'midnight showing' (e.g., of a movie), which is a common and correct usage of “午夜”. The other options are not standard or natural Chinese phrases.
Which of these sentences conveys a sense of urgency or lateness related to "午夜"?
Working 'until midnight' implies a long duration and often a late finish, which conveys a sense of urgency or lateness. The other sentences describe midnight as a time without necessarily implying urgency or lateness in action.
“午夜” is typically used to refer to the period immediately following noon.
“午夜” specifically refers to midnight, which is 12 AM (the middle of the night), not the period after noon (which is “下午”).
In formal contexts, “午夜” can be replaced by “子夜” (zǐyè) with a similar meaning.
“子夜” is a more formal or literary term for midnight, synonymous with “午夜”.
It is common to say “午夜好” (wǔyè hǎo) as a greeting when encountering someone at midnight.
While “早上好” (zǎoshang hǎo - good morning) or “晚上好” (wǎnshang hǎo - good evening) are common greetings, “午夜好” is not a standard greeting in Chinese. People typically use “晚上好” even late into the night, or a simple “你好” (nǐhǎo).
The city lights are still bright at midnight.
He is used to finishing all work before midnight.
The midnight bell tolls, and a new day begins.
Read this aloud:
午夜梦回，我仿佛又回到了童年。
Focus: 午夜梦回 (wǔyè mènghuí)
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我喜欢在午夜时分独自思考问题。
Focus: 午夜时分 (wǔyè shífēn)
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
午夜场电影通常座无虚席。
Focus: 午夜场电影 (wǔyèchǎng diànyǐng)
Você disse:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you are describing a typical New Year's Eve celebration in China. Write a short paragraph focusing on what happens at midnight, using the word "午夜" (wǔyè).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
在中国，新年前夜的午夜是一个激动人心的时刻。人们聚集在一起倒计时，迎接新的一年。午夜时分，天空被五彩缤纷的烟花照亮，家家户户会吃饺子，象征着团圆和好运。
You are writing a diary entry about a night you stayed up very late working on a project. Describe your feelings and what you were doing as midnight approached and passed, using "午夜" (wǔyè).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
今天我为了完成这个项目熬到了很晚。当午夜的钟声敲响时，我仍然在电脑前奋笔疾书。虽然感觉非常疲惫，但看着项目一点点成型，内心还是充满了成就感。我希望能在午夜前完成它，但显然时间不够了。
Write a short story or a scene where the arrival of midnight signifies a turning point or a critical moment. Use "午夜" (wǔyè) to emphasize this moment.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
城市的喧嚣在午夜时分渐渐平息，只剩下微弱的路灯光。他在窗前站了很久，等待着这个时刻。午夜的钟声响起，仿佛是一个信号，他知道，他必须做出那个艰难的决定了。从这一刻起，一切都将不同。
根据这段文字，关于《午夜凶铃》的说法哪项是正确的？
Read this passage:
《午夜凶铃》是一部经典的日本恐怖电影，讲述了录像带诅咒的故事。传说观看录像带的人会在七天后的午夜死去。这部电影在全球范围内都取得了巨大的成功，也催生了许多翻拍和续集。
根据这段文字，关于《午夜凶铃》的说法哪项是正确的？
文章明确提到《午夜凶铃》是一部恐怖电影，讲述了录像带诅咒的故事，并且在全球范围内取得了成功，还有翻拍和续集。
文章明确提到《午夜凶铃》是一部恐怖电影，讲述了录像带诅咒的故事，并且在全球范围内取得了成功，还有翻拍和续集。
根据这段文字，古代人们如何确定午夜？
Read this passage:
在古代，人们没有精确的计时工具，通常通过观察星象和日影来确定时间。午夜，在许多文化中被视为一天中最神秘和充满未知力量的时刻，常常与超自然现象或重要仪式联系在一起。
根据这段文字，古代人们如何确定午夜？
文章中提到“古代，人们没有精确的计时工具，通常通过观察星象和日影来确定时间。”
文章中提到“古代，人们没有精确的计时工具，通常通过观察星象和日影来确定时间。”
这位作家认为午夜对于创作有什么特殊意义？
Read this passage:
一位著名的作家曾说：“午夜是灵魂的时刻，是创作灵感迸发的最佳时机。”许多艺术家和诗人喜欢在午夜工作，因为他们认为此时外界的干扰最少，内心世界最为宁静，更容易捕捉到转瞬即逝的思绪和情感。
这位作家认为午夜对于创作有什么特殊意义？
文章中明确提到“午夜是灵魂的时刻，是创作灵感迸发的最佳时机。”
文章中明确提到“午夜是灵魂的时刻，是创作灵感迸发的最佳时机。”
/ 54 correct
Perfect score!
Exemplo
我们庆祝到午夜。
Conteúdo relacionado
Esta palavra em outros idiomas
Mais palavras de time
很久
A1A long time (ago); for a long time.
之后
A1After; subsequent to.
年老
A1Old (of people).
日程表
A1Schedule; timetable.
约定
A1To agree on a time; to make an appointment.
超前
B1Ahead of time; advanced.
提前
A1In advance; ahead of schedule.
随着
B1Along with; as (time passes).
古老
A1Ancient; age-old.
周年
A1Anniversary.
