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点

点 (diǎn) Chinese Character: o’clock; point; a little

9 strokes · HSK 1 · Radical 灬

Mark one point on a clock face: 点 can tell the hour.

Practice 点 in the interactive lesson

Chinese character story: From a Small Dot to Clock Time

点 (diǎn) has several everyday jobs, all connected by the idea of a point or small marked place. On a clock, each hour is a point, so 三点 means “three o’clock.” With 一, 一点 means “a little,” as in 一点水, “a little water.” 点 can also be a verb meaning to select, order, light, or tap, depending on the object. Beginners should first master the two patterns used constantly in conversation: number + 点 for clock time, and 一点 + noun for a small amount. Say diǎn with the third tone. In the character, the four small strokes at the bottom are written from left to right. They are part of the modern form, not four separate punctuation dots.

Learn 点 with a four-step memory story

Memory story — a learning aid, not the historical origin of the character.

1 · Picture the scene

You place one small mark on a clock at three. Then you pour only a small amount of water into a glass.

2 · Connect the meaning

点 connects a marked point with clock time and, in 一点, a small amount.

3 · Use real Chinese
  • 三点: 三 (three) + 点 (o’clock) = three o’clock
  • 八点: 八 (eight) + 点 (o’clock) = eight o’clock
  • 一点水: 一 (one) + 点 (a small amount) + 水 (water) = a little water
4 · Recall without looking

How would you say “eight o’clock” and “a little water” using the same character?

Show the answer点 (diǎn) = o’clock; point; a little
🧩 Word buildingSee what every part contributes

Chinese words often combine short meaning clues. Fixed expressions are clearly marked so you do not translate them too literally.

八点
八eight点o'clock=eight o'clock
一点
一one点small amount=a little

一点 is a common fixed quantity expression.

Chinese character origin and etymology

点 is the simplified form of 點. In the traditional character, 占 provides the historical sound clue and 黑 is connected with a dark mark or dot. The simplified form keeps 占 and uses 灬 below. From “small mark,” the character developed uses for points, selecting, lighting, small amounts, and clock hours.

点 places 占 above the four-dot form 灬. Keep the upper box compact and spread the four bottom dots evenly. 点 contains 占 and 灬. These parts act like clues: a component may suggest a meaning category, a pronunciation, or simply preserve part of the character's historical structure.

Chinese character stroke order and structure

点 is written with 9 strokes. Learn the complete stroke sequence in the interactive lesson, then write the character from memory before checking your answer.

  • 占 — zhān — supplies the historical sound family
  • 灬 — four-dot form — completes the simplified character

Common usage and sentence patterns

The examples below show 点 in complete beginner-friendly sentences. Read each sentence aloud, notice where the character appears, and then replace one noun or number to create a new sentence of your own.

现在三点。 Xiànzài sān diǎn. It is three o’clock now.
请喝一点水。 Qǐng hē yìdiǎn shuǐ. Please drink a little water.
八点上课。 Bā diǎn shàngkè. Class starts at eight o’clock.

Learning tips for 点

Learn the reading as one unit: diǎn, with the third tone: falling then rising. Avoid memorizing the letters without the tone mark. Say the syllable, recall the English meaning “o’clock; point; a little,” and write the 9 strokes from memory.

Because 点 contains reusable components, identify those clues before memorizing the whole shape. Compare it with 时 (shí, time; hour); 分 (fēn, minute; divide); 一 (yī, one). Similar characters are easier to remember when their different parts and meanings are studied side by side.

Quick review checklist

  • Can you recognize 点 without pinyin?
  • Can you say diǎn with the correct tone and explain “o’clock; point; a little”?
  • Can you write all 9 strokes in order?
  • Can you use 点 in one short sentence?

Related characters

Learn 点 in a themed collection

Compare this character with related beginner words. A themed path helps you notice useful pairs, word-building patterns, and everyday contexts.

🕒 Chinese Time Words

Continue learning Chinese characters

Use the Chinese radicals and components guide to understand reusable parts, the stroke order guide to improve handwriting, and the HSK 1 character overview to choose your next beginner lesson.

Sources and editorial note

HanziStory separates documented character history from modern memory stories. Historical-form images are shown only when a matching source file is available; missing stages are skipped rather than invented. Stroke practice uses HanziWriter data.

Last updated: August 12, 2026. Read our sources, editorial method, and correction policy.