历时

• Pinyin: lì shí
• Hanzi breakdown: 历 = 厂 + 力 (experience/pass through); 时 = 日 + 寸 (time)

Meaning

To last; to take (time); to span. As an adjective, diachronic (over time).

Indicates the duration of time that something takes or covers. Often used for projects, events, or processes that extend over a significant period. In linguistics, refers to diachronic analysis.

Examples

1. 这项工程历时三年终于完工。 This project took three years and is finally finished.
2. 谈判历时数月才达成协议。 The negotiations lasted for months before an agreement was reached.
3. 历时研究揭示了语言的演变过程。 Long-term research revealed how language evolves over time.

Usage Guide

Context: projects, events, academics

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这场审判历时半年之久。(This trial lasted as long as half a year.)
• 历时五年的研究终于取得了突破。(The five-year research finally achieved a breakthrough.)

Don't Say

• 我历时吃饭 — 历时 is for significant durations, not brief daily activities

Origin & History

历 (pass through) + 时 (time)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal