时候

shí hou
HSK 1Noun (名)

Basic Meaning

n
Often used with specific time indicators like 这, 那, or in phrases like 小时候 (childhood).
a point in time
时间里的某一点。
Words:
这时候小时候
Synonyms:
时分时辰时间时刻
Sentences:
  1. 这(zhè)时(shí)候(hou)，我(wǒ)们(mén)应(yīng)该(gāi)保(bǎo)持(chí)冷(lěng)静(jìng)
    At this point in time, we should stay calm.
  2. 我(wǒ)小(xiǎo)时(shí)候(hou)住(zhù)在(zài)北(běi)京(jīng)
    I lived in Beijing when I was a child.
n
Refers to a duration with a start and end, often used in contexts like 关键时候 (critical moment).
a period of time
有起点和终点的一段时间。
Words:
关键时候特殊时候
Synonyms:
时期功夫时间光阴时辰工夫时光期间岁月
Sentences:
  1. 在(zài)关(guān)键(jiàn)时(shí)候(hou)，他(tā)总(zǒng)能(néng)做(zuò)出(chū)正(zhèng)确(què)决(jué)定(dìng)
    At critical moments, he always makes the right decisions.
  2. 特(tè)殊(shū)时(shí)候(hou)需(xū)要(yào)特(tè)殊(shū)处(chǔ)理(lǐ)
    Special periods require special handling.

Characters Breakdown

HSK 1
shí时

time

HSK 1
hòu候

wait; await