办公时间
bàngōng shíjiān
In Chinese, "office hours" is translated as 办公时间 (bàngōng shíjiān).
This term refers to prearranged times when a person is available. It is used both for professional business hours and for the specific times a professor or official is available for consultation.
Meaning: prearranged time when a person is available (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 办公 (bàngōng), meaning 'to work/to handle official business' and 时间 (shíjiān), meaning 'time'.
How do you pronounce it?
bàngōng shíjiān
Did you know?
- In China, the concept of 办公时间 can be fluid in the private sector, where '996' refers to a grueling schedule of 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week, far exceeding standard office hours.
- The character 办 in 办公时间 is a simplified version of a character that originally depicted a hand performing a task. It emphasizes the active, functional nature of 'office work' as 'handling' or 'managing' affairs.
- While 办公时间 works for professional settings, students often use the term 接待时间 (jiēdài shíjiān) to describe an official's 'reception hours' when seeking help.
Examples in context
- 每个星期二下午是这个教授的办公时间。The professor has office hours every Tuesday afternoon.This sentence is useful for showing how to use 办公时间 when discussing a professor's availability.Tatoeba #4262377 by mng, translation #4261679 by orcrist
- 我的办公时间是工作日上午9点到下午5点。My office hours are from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays.
- 在我的工作时间内，你可以在我的办公室找到我。During my office hours, you can reach me in my office.
- 请在办公时间给我们打电话。Qǐng zài bàngōng shíjiān gěi wǒmen dǎ diànhuà.Please call us during office hours.
- 他的办公时间是从九点开始。Tā de bàngōng shíjiān shì cóng jiǔ diǎn kāishǐ.His office hours start at nine o'clock.
Example conversation
Junjie asks Xiaowen about a company's contact policy.
- 俊杰 Junjie我们什么时候可以联系客户？Wǒmen shénme shíhou kěyǐ liánxì kèhù?When can we contact the clients?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen最好在他们的办公时间联系。Zuìhǎo zài tāmen de bàngōng shíjiān liánxì.It is best to contact them during their office hours.
- 俊杰 Junjie我知道了，谢谢晓雯。Wǒ zhīdào le, xièxie Xiǎowén.I see, thanks Xiaowen.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen不客气，俊杰。Bú kèqi, Jùnjié.You're welcome, Junjie.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
