qījiān: 期间 - During, Period, In the course of

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.”

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.

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 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.”

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.

• 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.