时间
shíjiān
时间 (shíjiān) is the Mandarin word for time.
时间 refers to a duration or a measurement of a quantity of time. For example, if you want to express that one is too busy to do something, you can use the phrase 没时间 (méi shíjiān). To indicate a specific hour, you typically state the hour number followed by the word 点 (diǎn). If you need to ask someone for the time, you can preface your question with 请问 (qǐngwèn), which means 'Excuse me'.
Meaning: measurement of a quantity of time (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 时间 refers to a duration or a quantity of time, the word 时候 refers to a specific point or moment in time.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'to have time' in the sense of being available, use the verb 有 (yǒu) followed by 时间 (shíjiān).
How do you pronounce it?
shíjiān
Did you know?
- In traditional Chinese time-keeping, the word 时辰 was used to denote a two-hour period, and each was named after a zodiac animal, such as the 'Hour of the Rabbit'.
- The character 间 in 时间 means 'between' or 'space'. This implies that time in Chinese is conceptualized as a gap or an interval between two points.
- When using 点 (diǎn) to tell time, you are technically saying 'dot', as if you are marking a specific 'point' on a clock face.
Examples in context
- 这需要时间。It takes time.This sentence shows how to use 时间 to say something takes time.Tatoeba #707522 by tianblr, translation #707527 by CK
- 时间不等人。Time waits for no one.This sentence uses 时间 in a proverb about time not waiting for anyone.Tatoeba #3367336 by go_oo, translation #1744302 by belgavox
- 没时间解释。There is no time for explanation.This sentence uses 时间 to express that there is no time for an explanation.Tatoeba #4625756 by Yashanti, translation #1641809 by Amastan
- 一点1:00
- 九点半9:30
- 八点零五分8:05
- 十一点零九分11:09
- 上午十点半10:30 AM
- 晚上七点四十五分7:45 PM
- 两点五十2:50
- 十二点12 o'clock
- 十二天Twelve days
- 264 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Wei and Yuting are discussing their busy schedules.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen雨婷，你有时间吗？Yùtíng, nǐ yǒu shíjiān ma?Yuting, do you have time?
- 伟 Wei今天我没有时间。Jīntiān wǒ méiyǒu shíjiān.I don't have time today.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen那明天有时间吗？Nà míngtiān yǒu shíjiān ma?Then do you have time tomorrow?
- 伟 Wei明天可以。Míngtiān kěyǐ.Tomorrow is fine.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
