TL;DR 美式英文用於表達時間的 "half after ..." 用法在過去較常見,現在美國日常生活上則已經退流行,基本上沒人這樣子講,但是這用法仍存在於正式場合,比如(正式的)婚禮邀請函(相當於我們的喜帖)。詳情請看下文的 Update Oct 30, 2023 及 2025 部分。
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"一點半"的英文可不可以說"half after one"?這說法我自己在國高中時就有學過,現在的話看樣子還是有,但是如果這樣子跟老外說他們聽得懂嘛?
關於這問題,我到AUE去問了那 邊英語人士,回答的人有來自美國,英國和澳洲,問出來的結果出乎我意料之外:
"half after one = 1:30 pm"?
全部都是說"沒聽過"/"錯的"/"稍微想一下是有可能會聽懂,但是這不是我們的慣 用說法"/.....。其中一個回覆"It would be an archaic form in England, ....., which was common among my Grandfather and his friends."
在問之前我有找過Google和兩個語料庫。Google有找到沒什麼,但是語料庫沒有(*2)我就覺得奇怪,因為如果這是現代的慣用說法,語料庫沒理由找不出來,也因此我懷疑這該 又不會又是那種"兩百年前"(*1)的用法但是現代已經揚棄不用了,後來也證實了確實是如此,因為Google/Google Books上找到的大部份都非現代/近代書籍。
(*1)拜託喔,這是誇張用法,不用在那邊鑽。重點是在於"現代不這麼說 了"。
(*2) Oct 30, 2023 更新。剛用語料庫重新找了一下,找到了。我列在下方
剛發現的:
"Practical English Usage" by M.S., 3rd edition
579 telling the time
....
....
In American English after is often used instead of past (e.g. ten after six); but Americans do not say half after.
另外,出於好奇,我用Google搜尋這字串:
"half after" 幾點半
哇.... 原來這樣子教的文法書/字典/網站還很多呢....
Update 2025
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc. 2010
page 166
"Here are some examples for formal invitations:
...
half after eight in the morning (add "in the morning" to avoid possible confusion)
..."
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Encyclopaedia of Etiquette: A Book of Manners for Everyday Use
By Emily Holt
originally published by Doubleday Page & Company in 1921
chapter 7, page 180
"Along with such of these reception cards as are sent to special friends whose presence is desired also at the marriage are sent small cards on which is engraved, ceremony at half after three o'clock."
註:這本古書剛查了一下。2025年仍有公司出版翻印。看樣子還是有需求。
Update Oct 30, 2023
Wedding Invitation
YouTube 的一個婚禮例子
lunch, dinner, tea ... invitation
ball invitation
Google Books 找到的例子
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(note: Emily Post 1922年出版的書,現在還是有翻印)
"... formal invitations to lunch ...."
Corpus of Contemporary American English 例子
(note: 我限定找 at half after 所以例子少。光用 half after 找有五百多個例子,但是絕大多數和時間無關)