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noun HSK 2
Traditional 時
shí
time · hour · season · when

Meaning

时 is a fundamental Chinese word meaning 'time' or 'hour'. It appears in countless everyday expressions related to time measurement, scheduling, and temporal concepts. As a standalone character, it often refers to a specific point in time or an hour on the clock.

Usage

Native speakers use 时 constantly in time-related contexts. It appears in words like 小时 (hour), 时间 (time), and 时候 (moment/when). In formal or literary contexts, it can also mean 'season' or serve as a conjunction meaning 'when'. It's rarely used alone in casual speech; instead, it combines with other characters.

Examples

  1. 01
    我们必须准时到达机场。
    Wǒmen bìxū zhǔn shí dàodá jīchǎng.
    We must arrive at the airport on time.
  2. 02
    他平时很忙，周末才有空。
    Tā píng shí hěn máng, zhōumò cái yǒu kòng.
    He's usually very busy and only has free time on weekends.

Common collocations

  • 按时
    àn shí
    on time
  • 准时
    zhǔn shí
    punctual, on time
  • 平时
    píng shí
    usually, ordinarily
  • 临时
    lín shí
    temporary, at the last minute

Origin

The traditional form 時 combines the sun radical 日 (sun) with 寺 (temple), originally suggesting the temple's role in timekeeping by observing the sun's position.

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