时间

shí jiān/

shí jiàn

HSK 1Noun (名)

Basic Meaning

This sense refers to the abstract concept of time. Often used in philosophical or general contexts. It can be paired with verbs like 消磨 (to kill/pass) or 享受 (to enjoy) to talk about how time is spent.

time (as a continuous flow from past to future)

物质运动中的一种存在方式，由过去、现在、将来构成的连绵不断的系统。是物质的运动、变化的持续性、顺序性的表现。

Words:

空闲时间消磨时间快乐时间

Synonyms:

年华时代时分岁月韶华光阴时辰时候时刻时光时期岁日

Antonyms:

空间

Sentences:

我(wǒ)喜(xǐ)欢(huān)在(zài)空(kòng)闲(xián)时(shí)间(jiān)看(kàn)书(shū)。
I like to read books in my free time.
和(hé)他(tā)在(zài)一(yì)起(qǐ)是(shì)很(hěn)快(kuài)乐(lè)的(de)时(shí)间(jiān)。
Being with him is very happy time.

Used to refer to a specific duration. Commonly seen in phrases like 这段时间, 那段时间 (this/that period of time). It answers the question "how long?"

a period of time; a stretch of time

（段）指从起点到终点的某一段时间。

Words:

这段时间每段时间

Synonyms:

时段

Sentences:

请(qǐng)告(gào)诉(sù)我(wǒ)你(nǐ)到(dào)达(dá)的(de)大(dà)概(gài)时(shí)间(jiān)。
Please tell me your approximate arrival time.
这(zhè)段(duàn)时(shí)间(jiān)天(tiān)气(qì)很(hěn)热(rè)。
The weather has been very hot recently.

Refers to a specific clock time or a precise moment. It answers the question "when?"

a point in time; a specific moment

时间里的某一点。

Words:

这个时间每个时间

Synonyms:

时刻

Antonyms:

空间

Sentences:

我(wǒ)们(men)约(yuē)在(zài)明(míng)天(tiān)下(xià)午(wǔ)三(sān)点(diǎn)这(zhè)个(ge)时(shí)间(jiān)见(jiàn)面(miàn)。
Let's meet at 3 PM tomorrow.
现(xiàn)在(zài)是(shì)吃(chī)晚(wǎn)饭(fàn)的(de)时(shí)间(jiān)了(le)。
It's time for dinner now.

Characters Breakdown

time

room; between