🇨🇳 How to say

“time” in Chinese

时间shíjiān
Illustration of "time" in a Chinese cultural setting
A digital clock on a bedside table shows 7:00 AM as sunlight streams through the window, marking the start of a new day.

Usage note

时间 is a neutral term for time in any context, used for both clock time and duration; it's as essential in daily conversations as checking the time itself.

Examples

  • 我没有时间了。

    I don't have time anymore.

  • 现在是什么时间？

    What time is it now?

  • 我们有很多时间。

    We have a lot of time.

Quick check

What does "时间" mean?

  • A. time
  • B. station
  • C. o'clock
  • D. child

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