期间
qījiān
The English word "during" is translated into Chinese as 期间 (qījiān).
期间 is used to specify a continuous or defined span of time, such as a holiday, a war or a specific event.
Meaning: for all of a given time interval (prep)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 期间 is composed of 期, which means period or time and 间, which means interval or between.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese, 期间 is typically placed after the noun representing the time period it modifies. For more formal structures, you may see the phrase 在…期间 (zài… qījiān) used to indicate "during" a specific period, or 在…期 (zài… qī) to signify "during" a specific phase or period.
How do you pronounce it?
qījiān
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly place 期间 before the noun, such as saying 期间会议. In Chinese, it must follow the noun, such as 会议期间.
Did you know?
- While 期间 denotes a span of time, the character 间 also refers to a physical space or a room. This reflects an ancient Chinese philosophical view that time and space are conceptually linked.
- The character 期 in 期间 also shares a root with the word for 'expect' or 'hope', relating to the idea of a fixed point in time that one waits for.
- In spoken Chinese, people often skip the formal 期间 entirely and use a simpler particle or a different structure to indicate 'during', making the formal version sound quite 'bookish'.
Examples in context
- 汤姆在会议期间打瞌睡。Tom dozed off during the meeting.This sentence shows how to use 期间 to describe an action occurring during a meeting.Tatoeba #9959059 by GlossaMatik, translation #1094231 by CK
- 疫情期间注意安全。Be careful during the pandemic.This sentence uses 期间 to describe being careful during the pandemic.Tatoeba #9698599 by Ivanovb, translation #10266468 by bekindtoall
- 暑假期间，我在邮局工作。I worked in a post office during the summer vacation.This sentence uses 期间 to describe working during a summer vacation.Tatoeba #805002 by fucongcong, translation #24318 by CK
- 在会议期间 (zài huìyì qījiān)During the meeting
- 在暑假期间 (zài shǔjià qījiān)During the summer vacation
- 在施工期 (zài shīgōng qī)During the construction period
- 在吃饭的时候 (zài chīfàn de shíhou)During mealtime
- 在开会的时候 (zài kāihuì de shíhou)During a meeting
- 昨天晚上在聚会期间遇到了我的朋友 (Zuótiān wǎnshàng zài jùhuì qījiān yùdào le wǒ de péngyou)Yesterday evening during the party, I met my friend.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking about a business trip.
- 梓涵 Zihan志强，你在出差期间忙吗？Zhìqiáng, nǐ zài chūchāi qījiān máng ma?Zhiqiang, were you busy during your business trip?
- 志强 Zhiqiang非常忙，我没时间休息。Fēicháng máng, wǒ méi shíjiān xiūxi.Very busy, I had no time to rest.
- 梓涵 Zihan那你在会议期间怎么没给我打电话？Nà nǐ zài huìyì qījiān zěnme méi gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà?Then why didn't you call me during the meeting?
- 志强 Zhiqiang因为我的手机没电了。Yīnwèi wǒ de shǒujī méi diàn le.Because my phone ran out of battery.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
