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| 期间 [2025/08/13 12:19] – created xiaoer | 期间 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 |
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| ====== qījiān: 期间 - During, Period, In the course of ====== | |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | |
| * **Keywords:** 期间, qijian, during in Chinese, period in Chinese, in the course of, Chinese grammar time, how to say during in Chinese, qijian vs de shihou, HSK 4 vocabulary | |
| * **Summary:** Learn how to use **期间 (qījiān)**, a fundamental Chinese word for expressing "during" or "in the course of" a specific time period. This guide explains its meaning, grammar, and usage in contexts from historical events like "战争期间 (zhànzhēng qījiān) - during the war" to everyday situations like "春节期间 (chūnjié qījiān) - during the Spring Festival". Understand the key difference between **期间 (qījiān)** and **的时候 (de shíhou)** to master expressing time in Chinese. | |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** qījiān | |
| * **Part of Speech:** Noun (Time Noun) | |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 | |
| * **Concise Definition:** The time period during which something happens; in the course of. | |
| * **In a Nutshell:** **期间 (qījiān)** acts like a label you attach to a defined block of time. You first state the event or time frame (like "the meeting," "my university years," or "the holiday"), and then add **期间** to mean "during that whole period." It's a way to formally frame an action within a specific duration. | |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | |
| * **期 (qī):** This character means a period of time, a phase, or a term (like a school term). Think of it as a pre-defined segment of time. | |
| * **间 (jiān):** This character originally depicted the moon (月) seen through a door (门), representing the space or interval "between" things. It means "space," "among," or "interval." | |
| * When combined, **期间 (qījiān)** literally means "the space/interval of a period," which perfectly captures the idea of "during a specific timeframe." | |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | |
| While **期间 (qījiān)** is a functional word, its usage reflects a structured way of marking time that is common in Chinese communication. Events are often contextualized within larger, named periods, whether they are historical eras, national holidays, or formal meetings. | |
| A crucial point for learners is that **期间** is a noun, not a preposition like its English equivalent "during." In English, we say "during [the event]." In Chinese, the structure is "[The Event] + 期间." For example, "The meeting" + **期间**. This structural difference highlights a different approach to sentence construction. | |
| This contrasts with the English tendency to use prepositions to lead the phrase. Mastering this `[Time Frame] + 期间` pattern is key to sounding natural in Chinese. It shows a way of thinking where you first establish the temporal "container" and then discuss what happened inside it. | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | |
| **期间** is widely used in both formal and informal contexts, though it carries a slightly more formal tone than its counterpart **的时候 (de shíhou)**. | |
| * **Formal and Written Chinese:** It's extremely common in news reports, official documents, legal contracts, and historical texts. | |
| * `疫情期间，请大家戴好口罩。` (Yìqíng qījiān, qǐng dàjiā dài hǎo kǒuzhào.) - During the pandemic, everyone please wear a mask properly. | |
| * `合同期间，双方应遵守以下条款。` (Hétóng qījiān, shuāngfāng yīng zūnshǒu yǐxià tiáokuǎn.) - During the contract period, both parties should abide by the following clauses. | |
| * **Everyday Conversation:** It's also used in daily speech to talk about distinct periods of life or specific events. | |
| * `我上大学期间认识了我妻子。` (Wǒ shàng dàxué qījiān rènshile wǒ qīzi.) - I met my wife during my university years. | |
| * `春节期间你有什么计划？` (Chūnjié qījiān nǐ yǒu shéme jìhuà?) - What are your plans during the Spring Festival? | |
| * **Business and Promotions:** You'll often see it in advertisements for sales or special offers. | |
| * `活动期间，所有商品打八折。` (Huódòng qījiān, suǒyǒu shāngpǐn dǎ bā zhé.) - During the event period, all products are 20% off. | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | |
| * **Example 1:** | |
| * 春节**期间**，很多商店都关门了。 | |
| * Pinyin: Chūnjié **qījiān**, hěn duō shāngdiàn dōu guānmén le. | |
| * English: During the Spring Festival, many shops were closed. | |
| * Analysis: A very common and practical example. "春节 (Chūnjié)" is the time frame, and **期间** specifies that the action (shops closing) happened throughout that period. | |
| * **Example 2:** | |
| * 会议**期间**，请把手机调成静音。 | |
| * Pinyin: Huìyì **qījiān**, qǐng bǎ shǒujī tiáo chéng jìngyīn. | |
| * English: During the meeting, please set your phone to silent. | |
| * Analysis: This shows a common formal usage. "会议 (huìyì)" is the defined event. | |
| * **Example 3:** | |
| * 我上大学**期间**，在外面打过工。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ shàng dàxué **qījiān**, zài wàimiàn dǎguo gōng. | |
| * English: During my time in university, I worked a part-time job. | |
| * Analysis: Used here to describe a significant life period. "上大学 (shàng dàxué)" acts as the time-defining phrase. | |
| * **Example 4:** | |
| * 第二次世界大战**期间**，生活非常困难。 | |
| * Pinyin: Dì-èr cì shìjiè dàzhàn **qījiān**, shēnghuó fēicháng kùnnán. | |
| * English: During World War II, life was extremely difficult. | |
| * Analysis: Demonstrates its use for major historical periods. | |
| * **Example 5:** | |
| * 在此**期间**，我们完成了很多重要的项目。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zài cǐ **qījiān**, wǒmen wánchéngle hěn duō zhòngyào de xiàngmù. | |
| * English: During this period, we completed many important projects. | |
| * Analysis: "在此期间 (zài cǐ qījiān)" is a very useful set phrase meaning "during this time" or "in the meantime." The "在 (zài)" is often added for emphasis. | |
| * **Example 6:** | |
| * 疫情**期间**，我们学会了在线工作。 | |
| * Pinyin: Yìqíng **qījiān**, wǒmen xuéhuìle zàixiàn gōngzuò. | |
| * English: During the pandemic, we learned to work online. | |
| * Analysis: A modern and highly relevant example. | |
| * **Example 7:** | |
| * 她怀孕**期间**胃口特别好。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā huáiyùn **qījiān** wèikǒu tèbié hǎo. | |
| * English: Her appetite was especially good during her pregnancy. | |
| * Analysis: Perfect for describing a specific phase in a person's life. | |
| * **Example 8:** | |
| * 放假**期间**，我打算去旅行。 | |
| * Pinyin: Fàngjià **qījiān**, wǒ dǎsuàn qù lǚxíng. | |
| * English: During the holiday, I plan to travel. | |
| * Analysis: A simple, conversational example. "放假 (fàngjià)" means "to have a holiday," so "放假期间" is "during the holiday period." | |
| * **Example 9:** | |
| * 活动**期间**，注册即可获得免费礼物。 | |
| * Pinyin: Huódòng **qījiān**, zhùcè jí kě huòdé miǎnfèi lǐwù. | |
| * English: During the promotional event, you can get a free gift just by registering. | |
| * Analysis: Shows its use in marketing and commercial contexts. | |
| * **Example 10:** | |
| * 他在住院**期间**读完了三本书。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā zài zhùyuàn **qījiān** dú wánle sān běn shū. | |
| * English: He finished reading three books during his hospitalization. | |
| * Analysis: Another example where "在 (zài)" can be added before the time phrase to mean "in/at/during." | |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | |
| The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between **期间 (qījiān)** and **的时候 (de shíhou)**. | |
| * **期间 (qījiān):** | |
| * **Focus:** The entire span of a defined, often formal, period. | |
| * **Tone:** More formal. | |
| * **Use:** Best for distinct periods like holidays (春节期间), historical events (战争期间), or formal processes (会议期间). It emphasizes the whole duration. | |
| * **的时候 (de shíhou):** | |
| * **Focus:** Can refer to the whole period, but often refers to a point *in time* when something was happening. | |
| * **Tone:** More casual and conversational. | |
| * **Use:** More flexible. Can be used for actions (`我吃饭的时候` - while I was eating) or general periods (`我小的时候` - when I was little). | |
| **Common Mistake 1: Using it as a preposition.** | |
| * **Incorrect:** `我期间上大学认识了她。` (Wǒ qījiān shàng dàxué rènshi le tā.) | |
| * **Reason:** This tries to use 期间 like the English word "during." It must come *after* the time phrase. | |
| * **Correct:** `我上大学期间认识了她。` (Wǒ shàng dàxué qījiān rènshi le tā.) | |
| **Common Mistake 2: Using 期间 for a point in time.** | |
| * **Incorrect:** `我到家期间，他已经走了。` (Wǒ dào jiā qījiān, tā yǐjīng zǒu le.) | |
| * **Reason:** "Arriving home" (到家) is a moment, not a duration. **期间** needs a span of time. | |
| * **Correct:** `我到家的时候，他已经走了。` (Wǒ dào jiā de shíhou, tā yǐjīng zǒu le.) - When I got home, he had already left. | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | |
| * [[的时候]] (de shíhou) - The most common alternative. More informal and flexible, often translated as "when" or "while." | |
| * [[时期]] (shíqī) - A synonym that often refers to a broader historical period or an abstract phase (e.g., `困难时期` - a difficult period). It's less about a specific, contained event. | |
| * [[时代]] (shídài) - A much broader term meaning "era" or "age," like `数字时代` (shùzì shídài - the digital age). | |
| * [[之内]] (zhī nèi) - Means "within" a certain time limit, emphasizing the boundary. Often used with specific lengths of time, e.g., `三天之内` (sān tiān zhī nèi - within three days). | |
| * [[过程]] (guòchéng) - Refers to the "process" of an event, focusing on the development and steps rather than just the time it occupies. | |
| * [[当中]] (dāngzhōng) - Means "in the middle of" or "among." It can be used for time (`在学习当中` - in the middle of studying) but also for physical location. | |