Understanding 分钟
“分钟” is a compound word meaning "minute," a basic unit of time. It is used to specify durations or points in time, often in everyday conversation and formal contexts alike.
Usage and Common Patterns
You will often see “分钟” following a number to indicate how many minutes something lasts or will take, such as “十分钟” (ten minutes) or “三分钟” (three minutes). It can appear in statements about waiting, starting times, or requests for short periods.
Common Collocations
- 数字 + 分钟: to express duration (e.g., 五分钟, 十分钟)
- 在 + 数字 + 分钟 + 后: to indicate time after which something happens (e.g., 五分钟后)
- 给 + 人 + 数字 + 分钟 + 时间: to ask for or give a short amount of time
Avoid confusing “分钟” with just “分,” which can mean "to divide" or "a fraction" in other contexts. When talking about time, “分钟” is the standard term for minutes.