shíjiān: 时间 - Time

• Keywords: shijian, 时间, Chinese for time, how to say time in Chinese, shijian meaning, Chinese time concept, a period of time in Chinese, duration in Chinese, 时候 vs 时间, HSK 1 vocabulary.
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 时间 (shíjiān), the fundamental Chinese word for “time.” This comprehensive guide explores its core definition, character origins, cultural significance, and practical daily use. Learn how to talk about duration, schedules, and the abstract concept of time, while avoiding common mistakes beginners make when comparing 时间 (shíjiān) with similar words like 时候 (shíhou).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shíjiān
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: Time; period; duration.
• In a Nutshell: 时间 (shíjiān) is the most common and direct equivalent of the English word “time.” It refers to time as a general, abstract concept (e.g., “time flies”) and also to a specific, measurable amount or duration of time (e.g., “I don't have enough time”). If you need to talk about a span of time, 时间 is almost always the right word to use.

• 时 (shí): This character is all about time. Its radical is `日` (rì), the character for “sun.” You can think of it as representing the passage of time as measured by the sun's movement. It's used in words like `小时 (xiǎoshí)` - hour, and `时候 (shíhou)` - a point in time.
• 间 (jiān): This character means “space,” “interval,” or “between.” The traditional character 閒 shows a `月` (moon) seen through a `門` (door), vividly picturing a gap or an interval. The simplified version, 间, has a `日` (sun) inside a `门` (door). In both cases, it represents a space or an interval.
• Together, 时 (time) + 间 (interval/space) = 时间 (shíjiān) creates the concept of a “span of time” or a “duration.” It’s the interval on the timeline, which perfectly encapsulates its meaning.

In Chinese culture, 时间 (shíjiān) is a deeply valued resource, captured by the famous proverb: `一寸光阴一寸金，寸金难买寸光阴 (yī cùn guāngyīn yī cùn jīn, cùn jīn nán mǎi cùn guāngyīn)`, meaning “An inch of time is an inch of gold, but an inch of gold cannot buy an inch of time.” While the West often has a strictly linear “time is money” approach, the traditional Chinese concept of time can be seen as both linear and cyclical. The linear view is evident in modern business, where punctuality (`准时 - zhǔnshí`) is as important as anywhere else. However, the cyclical view is embedded in culture through the lunisolar calendar, the zodiac cycle, and the 24 solar terms (`节气 - jiéqì`) that have guided agriculture for millennia. Compared to the American focus on individual time management and efficiency, Chinese culture sometimes places a higher value on taking the necessary 时间 to build relationships (`关系 - guānxi`). A meeting might run long not because of inefficiency, but because the participants feel it's important to use that 时间 to foster harmony and mutual understanding before making a decision. This doesn't mean time is wasted; rather, the time is invested in the relationship itself.

时间 (shíjiān) is an everyday word used constantly in various contexts.

• Talking about availability: It's used to ask if someone is free or to state that you are busy.
  • `你明天有时间吗？(Nǐ míngtiān yǒu shíjiān ma?)` - Do you have time tomorrow?
• Discussing duration: It's used to ask or state how long something takes.
  • `我需要更多时间。(Wǒ xūyào gèng duō shíjiān.)` - I need more time.
• Expressing the abstract nature of time: Just like in English, it can be used in philosophical or emotional statements.
  • `时间过得真快！(Shíjiān guò de zhēn kuài!)` - Time flies so fast!
• Making appointments and plans: It's crucial for scheduling.
  • `我们约个时间见面吧。(Wǒmen yuē ge shíjiān jiànmiàn ba.)` - Let's set a time to meet.

Its connotation is neutral; it's simply a factual word for time. It is used in both very formal and very informal situations.

• Example 1:
  • 我今天没有时间和你吃饭。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jīntiān méiyǒu shíjiān hé nǐ chīfàn.
  • English: I don't have time to eat with you today.
  • Analysis: This is a very common and direct way to state you are busy. `没有时间 (méiyǒu shíjiān)` literally means “to not have time.”
• Example 2:
  • 这个项目需要很长时间才能完成。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù xūyào hěn cháng shíjiān cái néng wánchéng.
  • English: This project will take a long time to complete.
  • Analysis: Here, `很长时间 (hěn cháng shíjiān)` means “a very long time,” showing how 时间 is used to describe duration.
• Example 3:
  • 时间过得真快，我们毕业已经十年了！
  • Pinyin: Shíjiān guò de zhēn kuài, wǒmen bìyè yǐjīng shí nián le!
  • English: Time flies so fast, it's already been ten years since we graduated!
  • Analysis: This exclamation shows 时间 used in a more abstract, emotional context, similar to the English phrase “time flies.”
• Example 4:
  • 你大概需要多长时间？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ dàgài xūyào duō cháng shíjiān?
  • English: Roughly how much time do you need?
  • Analysis: `多长时间 (duō cháng shíjiān)` is a standard question phrase to ask “how long?” regarding duration.
• Example 5:
  • 请给我一点时间考虑一下。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng gěi wǒ yīdiǎn shíjiān kǎolǜ yīxià.
  • English: Please give me a little time to think it over.
  • Analysis: `一点时间 (yīdiǎn shíjiān)` means “a little bit of time.” This is a polite way to ask for a moment to consider something.
• Example 6:
  • 我们必须在规定的时间内完成工作。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū zài guīdìng de shíjiān nèi wánchéng gōngzuò.
  • English: We must finish the work within the stipulated time.
  • Analysis: This sentence demonstrates a more formal or professional use. `在…时间内 (zài…shíjiān nèi)` means “within a period of time.”
• Example 7:
  • 别浪费时间了，快点开始吧！
  • Pinyin: Bié làngfèi shíjiān le, kuài diǎn kāishǐ ba!
  • English: Stop wasting time, let's start quickly!
  • Analysis: `浪费时间 (làngfèi shíjiān)` is a fixed phrase that directly translates to “waste time.”
• Example 8:
  • 我最珍惜和家人在一起的时间。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuì zhēnxī hé jiārén zài yīqǐ de shíjiān.
  • English: I most cherish the time I spend with my family.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows 时间 referring to a qualitative period, “the time that…” which is defined by an activity.
• Example 9:
  • 如果你有时间的话，可以帮我一个忙吗？
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ yǒu shíjiān dehuà, kěyǐ bāng wǒ yīgè máng ma?
  • English: If you have time, could you do me a favor?
  • Analysis: `有时间 (yǒu shíjiān)` is the standard way to say “to have time” or “to be free.” It's a key phrase for making plans.
• Example 10:
  • 时间是最好的老师。
  • Pinyin: Shíjiān shì zuì hǎo de lǎoshī.
  • English: Time is the best teacher.
  • Analysis: A philosophical use of 时间 as an abstract concept, showing its versatility is identical to “time” in English proverbs.

The most common point of confusion for learners is distinguishing 时间 (shíjiān) from 时候 (shíhou) and 小时 (xiǎoshí).

• 时间 (shíjiān) - Time / Duration: The general concept or a span of time.
  • Think of it as “time” in an uncountable sense (“I need more time”) or as a countable duration (“a long time”).
  • Correct: `我没有时间。(Wǒ méiyǒu shíjiān.)` - I don't have time.
  • Incorrect: `我没有时候。` (This is grammatically wrong).
• 时候 (shíhou) - A point in time / A moment: Refers to a specific point or period when something happens. It often answers the question “when?”.
  • Think of it as “the time when…” or “moment.”
  • Correct: `你什么时候来？(Nǐ shénme shíhou lái?)` - When are you coming?
  • Incorrect: `你什么时间来？` (While sometimes understood, `什么时候` is much more natural and correct).
• 小时 (xiǎoshí) - Hour: A specific unit of time measurement, used with numbers.
  • Think of it as a unit, like “meter” or “kilogram.”
  • Correct: `我等了两个小时。(Wǒ děngle liǎng ge xiǎoshí.)` - I waited for two hours.
  • Incorrect: `我等了两个时间。` (This is meaningless).

Critical Mistake to Avoid: Do NOT use 时间 to ask “What time is it?”

• Incorrect: `什么时间了？(Shénme shíjiān le?)`
• Correct: `现在几点了？(Xiànzài jǐ diǎn le?)`

• 时候 (shíhou) - A point in time, a moment. Used to ask “when?” (`什么时候`).
• 小时 (xiǎoshí) - Hour. A specific unit for measuring time.
• 分钟 (fēnzhōng) - Minute. A unit of time.
• 秒 (miǎo) - Second. A unit of time.
• 光阴 (guāngyīn) - A more poetic or literary word for “time,” often used in idioms and proverbs.
• 期间 (qījiān) - A period or duration, often used in more formal or written contexts (e.g., `在春节期间` - during the Spring Festival period).
• 准时 (zhǔnshí) - Punctual, on time. An adjective describing being on schedule.
• 浪费 (làngfèi) - To waste. Often used with time: `浪费时间`.
• 过去 (guòqù) - The past. A noun referring to time that has gone by.
• 未来 (wèilái) - The future. A noun referring to the time to come.