Definition
时间 (shíjiān) refers to time as a length, duration, or period — for example, how much time you have. 时候 (shíhou) is for a specific moment or occasion, often used in the pattern …的时候 (when…). Use 时间 for clocks, schedules, and having free time; use 时候 for talking about a particular point in time.
noun
timeperiod (a length or duration of time)
Measure word · 段
Easily confused
- 事件shì jiànsound-alikeevent; incident
- 世间shì jiānsound-alikethe world (of mortals); this earthly realm; human society
- 实践shí jiànsound-aliketo put into practice; to carry out (a plan, theory, promise)
Examples
- ？Jīntiān nǐ yǒu shí jiān ma?Do you have time today?
- 时间。Tā jīntiān méiyǒu shí jiān.He doesn't have time today.
- 时间。Wǒmen yě yǒu hěnduō shí jiān.We also have a lot of time.
Grammar
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