时候

• Pinyin: shí hou
• Hanzi breakdown: 时 = 日 (sun) + 寸 (inch, measure) | 候 = 亻(person) + 侯 (phonetic)

Meaning

Time; moment; when. Refers to a point in time or a period when something happens.

Most commonly used in the pattern ...的时候 meaning 'when...' or 'at the time of...'. It indicates a point or period in time rather than duration. Very frequently paired with question words in 什么时候 (when?).

Examples

1. 你什么时候回家？ When are you going home?
2. 吃饭的时候不要看手机。 Don't look at your phone while eating.
3. 上课的时候不能说话。 You can't talk during class.

Usage Guide

Context: time, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你什么时候有空？(When are you free?)
• 睡觉的时候要关灯。(Turn off the light when you sleep.)

Don't Say

• 我在三点时候去。(Unnatural — say 我三点的时候去 or simply 我三点去; 时候 needs 的 after a time phrase)

Origin & History

Compound of 时 (time, hour) and 候 (to wait, a period), together meaning a point or period of time.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal