时间

• Pinyin: shí jiān
• Hanzi breakdown: 时 = 日 (sun) + 寸 (inch, measure) | 间 = 门 (door) + 日 (sun)

Meaning

Time. Refers to time as a concept, a duration, or a specific scheduled time.

Unlike 时候 which indicates 'when' something happens, 时间 refers to time as a measurable quantity or resource. Used to talk about having time, spending time, or asking about duration. Very common in daily conversation.

Examples

1. 你有时间吗？ Do you have time?
2. 时间过得很快。 Time passes very quickly.
3. 我没有时间看电影。 I don't have time to watch a movie.

Usage Guide

Context: time, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你有时间吗？(Do you have time?)
• 我们没有时间了。(We're out of time.)

Don't Say

• 什么时间你去学校？(Awkward — say 你什么时候去学校 when asking 'when'; 时间 is for duration or available time, not 'when')

Origin & History

Compound of 时 (time, hour) and 间 (between, interval), together meaning a span or interval of time.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal