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时空 (shí kōng) — (physics) space-time; (narrative/setting) a particular time and place; a specific era and locale

Definition

Combines 时间 (time) and 空间 (space) into a single concept. In physics it means 'space-time'; in narrative it denotes a specific era and locale as one setting.

noun
(physics) space-time(narrative/setting) a particular time and placea specific era and locale

Examples

  • 时空。
    Ài yīn sī tǎn de guǎng yì xiāng duì lùn chè dǐ gǎi biàn le wǒ men duì shí kōng de lǐ jiě.
    Einstein's general theory of relativity completely changed our understanding of space-time.
  • 时空，。
    Zhè bù xiǎo shuō miáo xiě le yí gè jià kōng de shí kōng, chōng mǎn le qí huàn sè cǎi.
    This novel depicts an alternate time-space, full of fantasy elements.
  • ，时空。
    Měi cì huí dào lǎo jiā, wǒ dōu gǎn jué zì jǐ kuà yuè le shí kōng.
    Every time I return to my hometown, I feel like I've crossed time and space.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

时shítime
空kōngspace

时 time and 空 space together mean time and space.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 時; 时 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
日日rìsun; day
Sound part声符shēngfú
之
之zhī時shí
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 時 pairs 日 (sun/day) with 之 as the part that gives the sound; the simplified 时 is not the form described.

Open 时 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
穴穴xuécave, hole
Sound part声符shēngfú
工
工gōng空kōng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

空 is built from 穴, a cave or hole, and 工, which gives the sound.

Open 空 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Physics & ChemistryTime (Abstract)5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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