定时

• Pinyin: dìng shí
• Hanzi breakdown: 定 = 宀 (roof) + 正 (correct) — to settle; 时 = 日 (sun) + 寸 (inch) — time, measured by the sun's movement

Meaning

Timed; scheduled; to set a time. Can describe something that operates at a fixed time or the action of setting a timer.

Common in both technical and everyday contexts. Used for timers on appliances (定时器), scheduled tasks, and regular routines. 定时炸弹 (time bomb) is a well-known compound. As a verb-object structure, 定好时间 means to fix a time.

Examples

1. 我把空调设成定时关机，睡着以后自动就停了。 I set the air conditioner to turn off on a timer, so it stops automatically after I fall asleep.
2. 这个咖啡机有定时功能，早上七点自动开始煮咖啡。 This coffee machine has a timer function; it automatically starts brewing at seven in the morning.
3. 医生建议老年人定时测量血压，及时发现问题。 Doctors recommend that elderly people measure their blood pressure regularly to catch problems early.

Usage Guide

Context: technology, everyday, health

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 洗衣机可以定时启动，很方便。(The washing machine can be set to start on a timer, very convenient.)
• 我们定时开会，每周三下午两点。(We have regularly scheduled meetings, every Wednesday at 2 PM.)

Don't Say

• 把定时和准时混淆 (定时 means scheduled/timed, while 准时 means punctual/on time — different concepts)

Origin & History

Compound of 定 (to fix, to set) + 时 (time). A practical term that arose with the development of timed mechanical and electronic devices.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal