As a language expert with a deep understanding of both English and Chinese, I'm here to provide you with accurate and comprehensive explanations. Let's dive into the concept of "quarter past" and explore its meaning in the context of timekeeping.
When we talk about "quarter past" in English, we're referring to a specific way of telling time. It's a part of the system used to describe the minutes that have passed after the hour. The term "quarter" is derived from the Latin word "quartus," which means "fourth." In the context of time, a quarter is one-fourth of an hour, which is equivalent to 15 minutes.

Understanding "Quarter Past":

1. Definition: "Quarter past" indicates that 15 minutes have elapsed after the hour. It's a way to express time that is more conversational and less formal than stating the exact minutes.


2. Usage: It's commonly used in everyday speech to convey the time in a more rounded manner. For instance, instead of saying "The meeting starts at 4:20," one might say, "The meeting starts at quarter past four."


3. Ambiguity: The phrase "quarter past" can be ambiguous without context because it doesn't specify whether it's in the morning or the afternoon. For example, "quarter past four" could mean 4:15 AM or 4:15 PM.


4. Related Terms: There are other similar terms used in timekeeping such as "half past," which means half an hour or 30 minutes past the hour, and "quarter to," which means 15 minutes until the next hour.


5. Historical Context: The use of quarters to describe time dates back to the medieval period when time was measured in more fluid increments. The concept of dividing the hour into quarters was a practical way to approximate time without the need for precise instruments.


6. Cultural Relevance: The phrase is particularly prevalent in English-speaking countries and is less commonly used in cultures that have adopted the 24-hour clock system, where time is expressed in terms of hours and minutes without the need for such qualifiers.

7.
Examples:
- "I'll meet you at quarter past five." (This could mean 5:15 AM or PM.)
- "The train departs at quarter to six." (This means 5:45 AM or PM.)

8.
Time Zones: It's important to note that "quarter past" is used within the context of a single time zone and does not account for differences in time across various geographical locations.

9.
Modern Applications: Despite the advent of digital clocks and smartphones, the phrase "quarter past" remains a part of colloquial language, especially in settings where a more formal or precise timekeeping is not required.

10.
Educational Value: Teaching children to understand "quarter past" and similar terms can help them develop a sense of time and improve their ability to estimate and communicate time in everyday situations.

Now, let's transition to the Chinese translation of the explanation above.

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So a quarter past 4 means it is 4:15, either am or pm depending on the time of day! @uya525 A quarter past 4 is referring to time. A quarter is 1/4 of a number. There are 60 minutes in an hour and 15 is one quarter or 1/4th of 60. So a quarter past 4 means it is 4:15, either am or pm depending on the time of day!Aug 28, 2017read more >>