倒计时

• Pinyin: dào jì shí
• Hanzi breakdown: 倒 = reverse; 计 = 讠 + 十 (to calculate, count); 时 = 日 + 寺 (time)

Meaning

Countdown; to count down. Refers to counting backward from a number to zero, marking the approach of a significant event or deadline.

Used for rocket launches, new year celebrations, athletic events, product releases, and exam deadlines. Carries a strong sense of urgency and anticipation. Functions as both a verb and a noun in Chinese.

Examples

1. 火箭发射进入最后十秒倒计时，现场气氛紧张到了极点。 The rocket launch entered its final ten-second countdown, and the atmosphere at the site became extremely tense.
2. 距离高考还有三十天，学校正式启动备考倒计时。 With thirty days left before the college entrance exam, the school officially began its exam-preparation countdown.
3. 他盯着手机屏幕，耐心等待新年倒计时的那一刻。 He stared at his phone screen, patiently waiting for the moment of the New Year's countdown.

Usage Guide

Context: events, news, sports, technology

Tone: tense, anticipatory

Do Say

• 开始倒计时！(Start the countdown!)
• 进入倒计时阶段。(Enter the countdown phase.)

Don't Say

• 做倒计时 — use 进行倒计时 or simply 倒计时 as a standalone verb; 做 collocates unnaturally here

Origin & History

倒 (reverse) + 计时 (timing). Together meaning to count time in reverse direction.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal