時間 / 时间
shíjiān
In Mandarin, duration can be expressed in several ways depending on the context, with the default form being 時間 / 时间 (shíjiān). Wiktionary also lists 長短 / 长短 (chángduǎn) and 為期 / 为期 (wéiqī).
Meaning: amount of time (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mandarin | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 時間 / 时间 | shíjiān |
| 長短 / 长短 | chángduǎn |
| 為期 / 为期 | wéiqī |
| 期間 / 期间 | qījiān |
The term duration in Mandarin can refer to the measurement of time, a specific period of time or the span of time during which something happens. For example, you might use 為期 / 为期 to specify the exact duration of a scheduled event like a meeting, a course or a project.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 為期 / 为期 is composed of 為 (to be/to act as) and 期 (a period of time/a term), literally meaning 'to be for a period of'.
Which one should you use?
期間 / 期间 refers to the span of time during which something occurs, rather than the measurement of the duration itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 為期 / 为期 can function as both a verb or an adjective to specify the exact duration of a scheduled event.
How do you pronounce it?
shíjiān
Did you know?
- The common word for time, 時間 / 时间, is a linguistic 'reborrowing' from Japanese. It was adapted into Mandarin during the late 19th century to help translate Western scientific and philosophical concepts.
- When discussing the length of a duration, one might use 長短 / 长短, which literally translates to 'long-short'.
- The character 期 used in 為期 / 为期 and 期間 / 期间 also describes the term of a pregnancy or a phase of the lunar cycle. It specifically implies a predetermined or natural cycle of time.
Examples in context
- 节目的时长是一个小时The duration of the program is one hour.
- 演讲的持续时间是三十分钟The duration of the speech is thirty minutes.
- 我去洗个澡，就一会儿I will take a shower, just for a while.
- 我已经等了一段时间了I have been waiting for a while.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “duration” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 時間, CC BY-SA 4.0.
