Sentence PatternsHSK 5
Expressing 'within' a period of time using 在...内
To express that something happens within a certain time frame, use 在 + [time period] + 内. The time period can be definite (e.g., two years, one hour) or vague (e.g., a short time). Place the time phrase before the verb to indicate the duration within which the action occurs.
Structure
在 + (Period of Time) + 内
Examples
- 在短短的两年内，他就成为了CEO。Zài duǎnduǎn de liǎng nián nèi , tā jiù chéngwéi le CEO.In just two years, he has become the CEO.
- 政府计划在十年内研究出电动汽车。Zhèngfǔ jìhuà zài shí nián nèi yánjiū chū diàndòng qìchē.The government plans to develop an electric car within ten years.
- 你在一个小时内吃了两次饭，你这么饿吗？Nǐ zài yī gè xiǎoshí nèi chī le liǎng cì fàn, nǐ zhème è ma?You ate twice in one hour. Are you really that hungry?
- 我在短短的半小时内接到了10个电话。Wǒ zài duǎnduǎn de bàn xiǎoshí nèi jiēdào le shí gè diànhuà.I received 10 calls in just half an hour.
- 在未来三年内，我希望能考过HSK5。Zài wèilái sān nián nèi , wǒ xīwàng néng kǎo guò HSK wǔ.In the next three years, I hope to pass HSK 5.