Breakdown of diànyǐng bā diǎn jiéshù.
电影diànyǐng
movie
八bā
eight
点diǎn
o'clock classifier
结束jiéshù
to finish
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Chinese grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about diànyǐng bā diǎn jiéshù.
What is the basic word order here? Where does the time go?
Chinese tends to use Subject + Time + Verb. So 电影八点结束 (diànyǐng bā diǎn jiéshù) is natural. You can also front the time as a topic: 八点，电影结束. Don’t say “电影结束八点”; the time normally doesn’t go after the verb unless you use a different structure (e.g., complements).
Do I need 在 or 于 before the time?
Not necessary. 电影八点结束 is perfectly natural. You can add 在 for clarity or rhythm: 电影在八点结束. 于 is formal/written: 电影于八点结束.
Do I need 是 (“to be”) in this sentence?
No. Chinese doesn’t use 是 to link times to events. You say 电影八点结束, not “电影是八点结束.”
What’s the difference between “结束” and “完”?
结束 (jiéshù) is about an event coming to an end; it’s neutral/formal for shows, meetings, etc. 完 (wán) means “finish/complete” an action. For a movie: 电影八点结束 (the screening ends at 8) vs. 我八点看完电影 (I finish watching at 8). Don’t say “电影八点完” in standard Mandarin.
Is 结束 transitive or intransitive?
Both. Intransitive: 电影八点结束 (the movie ends). Transitive: 我们八点结束会议 (we end the meeting at 8).
How do I say 8 p.m. specifically?
Add a time-of-day word: 晚上八点. For a morning time, 上午八点; afternoon, 下午两点. In writing, you might see 20:00, but in speech people say 晚上八点.
Should I add 钟 after 点?
Optional. 八点 and 八点钟 both work. 八点钟 can sound a touch more explicit or formal; 八点 is most common in speech.
How do I include minutes or half-hours?
- Half: 八点半 (8:30)
- Exact minutes: 八点十五分 or 八点十五
- “Quarter past/to”: 八点一刻 (8:15), 八点三刻 (8:45, more regional/old-school)
- “To”: 八点差五分 or 差五分八点 (7:55)
What does adding 就 or 才 change?
They add expectation.
- 电影八点就结束 = ends as early as 8 (sooner than expected).
- 电影八点才结束 = doesn’t end until 8 (later than expected).
When should I use 了 with 结束?
Without 了, it’s a schedule or general fact: 电影八点结束 (it ends at 8). With 了 in the past: 电影八点结束了 (it ended at 8). You can also ask: 电影八点结束了吗？
Is “结束在八点” correct?
No; native phrasing is 在八点结束, not “结束在八点.” Formal writing allows 结束于八点, but that’s literary.
Do I need a measure word with 电影 here?
Not in this generic statement. But with demonstratives or numbers you use 部: 这部电影八点结束, 一部电影.
Can I put the time first without a pause?
Yes, but a slight pause is natural in speech: 八点，电影结束. Written without punctuation (八点电影结束) is also seen and understood.
How do I negate or ask about the ending time?
- Question: 电影几点结束？ — 电影八点结束。
- Negation (habitual/future): 电影八点不结束。
- Past negative: 电影八点没有结束。
How do tones work in this sentence?
Pinyin with tones: diànyǐng bā diǎn jiéshù (4-3, 1, 3, 2-4). Third tones (yǐng, diǎn) are often realized as a “half third” (low dip) before non–third tones in fluent speech.
How would I say “The movie runs from six to eight”?
电影从六点到八点。 You can add a verb: 电影从六点开始，八点结束。
Is there a more colloquial way to say “the screening ends”?
Yes: 电影八点散场 (the audience disperses/the screening lets out at 8). It’s common for shows and movies.
Can I mark futurity explicitly?
Yes. 电影会在八点结束 or 电影八点要结束 both mean “will end at 8.” For a set schedule, 电影八点结束 already implies future if the time hasn’t come yet.
Any pitfalls with using 个, like “八个点”?
Avoid 八个点 for clock time in standard Mandarin. Say 八点. (八个点 can appear in dialectal/informal speech but isn’t standard for telling time.)
Can I add place or date information too?
Yes; typical order is Subject + (Time) + (Place) + Verb:
- 电影今天晚上在影院八点结束。
You can also topicalize time/place at the start for emphasis.