時間 / 时间
si⁴ gaan³, si⁴ gaan¹
The English word 'time' is translated into Cantonese as 時間 / 时间 (si⁴ gaan³, si⁴ gaan¹).
時間 / 时间 is used as a noun to refer to the measurement of a quantity of time. If you wish to express the verb 'to measure time', use the related form 計時 / 计时.
Meaning: measurement of a quantity of time (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When telling a specific time, such as 3:10, you can use the phrase 三點十分 (saam1 dim2 sap6 fan1).
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is si⁴ gaan³, si⁴ gaan¹.
Did you know?
- In Cantonese, the word for 'minute' 分 is the same word used for 'cent' or 'penny'. This is because both represent a small division of a larger whole, whether it is an hour or a dollar.
- The character 間 in 時間 originally meant a gap or a space. This suggests that the Cantonese concept of 'time' is linguistically tied to the idea of an interval or a space between two points.
- To say someone is 'taking their time' or 'dawdling', Cantonese speakers use the phrase 慢慢嚟. This literally translates to 'come slowly' and focuses on the pace of movement rather than the quantity of 時間.
Example sentences for Cantonese are not verified yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “time” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
