时节

• Pinyin: shí jié
• Hanzi breakdown: 时 = time; 节 = segment, festival — season, time of year

Meaning

Season; time of year; period. A specific time within the annual cycle, often associated with agriculture or festivals.

More poetic and literary than 季节 (season), often used in discussions of agriculture, traditional festivals, and classical poetry. Carries connotations of the natural passage of time and seasonal activities. Common in expressions about appropriate timing.

Examples

1. 清明时节，人们纷纷去扫墓祭祖。 During the Qingming season, people visit graves to honor their ancestors.
2. 这个时节正是樱花盛开的好时候。 This time of year is perfect for cherry blossoms.
3. 收获时节，农民们忙得不亦乐乎。 During harvest season, farmers are happily busy.

Usage Guide

Context: seasonal, traditional, poetic

Tone: nostalgic

Do Say

• 这个时节适合出游。(This season is good for traveling.)
• 清明时节雨纷纷。(During Qingming season, the rain falls in abundance.)

Don't Say

• 指具体季节时用'季节'更直接 (When referring to specific seasons, use 季节 — 时节 is more poetic)

Origin & History

Compound of 时 (time) + 节 (section, segment, festival). Originally referring to the divisions of the agricultural calendar.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal