Learning a new language involves mastering its vocabulary, and when it comes to Chinese, understanding how to discuss time and dates is essential. This article will guide you through some of the most important words and phrases you need to know to talk about time and dates in Chinese. Each word will include its definition and an example sentence in Chinese to help you see how it’s used in context.
时间 (shíjiān) – Time
你有空的时间吗？(Nǐ yǒu kòng de shíjiān ma?)
This word is used to refer to time in a general sense.
日期 (rìqī) – Date
今天的日期是什么？(Jīntiān de rìqī shì shénme?)
Use this word when you want to specify the date on the calendar.
秒 (miǎo) – Second
每分钟有六十秒。(Měi fēnzhōng yǒu liùshí miǎo.)
This is the smallest common measure of time in Chinese.
分钟 (fēnzhōng) – Minute
这个会议将持续三十分钟。(Zhège huìyì jiāng chíxù sānshí fēnzhōng.)
A minute is a basic unit of time and often used when discussing the length of time.
小时 (xiǎoshí) – Hour
我每天工作八小时。(Wǒ měitiān gōngzuò bā xiǎoshí.)
An hour comprises 60 minutes and is a common way to measure longer periods.
日 (rì) – Day
一周有七日。(Yī zhōu yǒu qī rì.)
In Chinese, this character can also mean “sun,” but in the context of time, it refers to a day.
周 (zhōu) – Week
我们每周会见一次。(Wǒmen měi zhōu huì jiàn yī cì.)
This word is used when discussing events that occur on a weekly basis.
月 (yuè) – Month
一年有十二个月。(Yī nián yǒu shí’èr gè yuè.)
A month is a significant division of time, typically used in planning and scheduling.
年 (nián) – Year
今年是2023年。(Jīnnián shì 2023 nián.)
Years are used to organize long-term events and historical records.
时候 (shíhou) – Time, moment
你什么时候有空？(Nǐ shénme shíhòu yǒu kōng?)
This word is more specific than 时间, often used to ask about or reference specific instances or periods.
现在 (xiànzài) – Now
我们现在开始吧。(Wǒmen xiànzài kāishǐ ba.)
Use this word when you’re talking about the present moment.
今天 (jīntiān) – Today
今天天气怎么样？(Jīntiān tiānqì zěnme yàng?)
This refers to the current day.
明天 (míngtiān) – Tomorrow
我们明天见。(Wǒmen míngtiān jiàn.)
This word is used when discussing plans or events that will occur the next day.
昨天 (zuótiān) – Yesterday
昨天我去了图书馆。(Zuótiān wǒ qùle túshū guǎn.)
Use this word to talk about the day that has just passed.
后天 (hòutiān) – The day after tomorrow
后天我们有一个重要会议。(Hòutiān wǒmen yǒu yīgè zhòngyào huìyì.)
This term is helpful when planning for the near future.
前天 (qiántiān) – The day before yesterday
前天他生病了。(Qiántiān tā shēngbìng le.)
This word is used to refer to two days ago.
周末 (zhōumò) – Weekend
这个周末你有什么计划？(Zhège zhōumò nǐ yǒu shé me jìhuà?)
Weekend refers to the end part of the week, typically Saturday and Sunday.
节日 (jiérì) – Festival, holiday
中国的春节是一个重要的节日。(Zhōngguó de Chūnjié shì yīgè zhòngyào de jiérì.)
This word is used for special days of celebration.
Understanding these words and how to use them will help you effectively communicate about time and dates in Chinese, enhancing both your speaking and comprehension skills.
