When learning Chinese, you'll often encounter the word 时候 (shí hou). It's a very common noun meaning "time" or "moment." You can use it in many situations to talk about specific points in time or periods. For example, you might ask, "What time is it?" or "At that moment."
You'll frequently see 时候 combined with other words to form common expressions. For instance, 什么时候 (shén me shí hou) means "when" or "what time." Another useful one is 有时候 (yǒu shí hou), which means "sometimes." Pay attention to how 时候 is used in sentences, and you'll quickly get the hang of it!
When learning Chinese, understanding how to use 时候 (shí hou) is super useful. It literally means 'time' or 'moment,' but you'll often hear it in phrases to talk about a specific period or occasion. Think of it as a flexible word that helps you pinpoint when something is happening.
For example, if you want to say 'when I was a child,' you'd say 我小时候 (wǒ xiǎo shí hou). Or, if someone asks you 'when are you free?', you might reply 有空的时候 (yǒu kòng de shí hou), meaning 'when I have free time.'
§ Understanding 时候 (shíhou) in Daily Conversations
- Definition
- 时候 (shíhou) means 'time' or 'moment'. It's a fundamental word you'll hear and use constantly in Chinese. Think of it as a flexible term that can refer to a specific point in time or a period.
You'll find 时候 (shíhou) popping up everywhere, from casual chats to more formal settings. It's super versatile, so understanding its common uses will really level up your Chinese. Let's break down some practical examples.
§ At Work and School
In a work or school environment, 时候 (shíhou) is often used to talk about schedules, deadlines, or when things happen.
你什么时候有空？
- Translation Hint
- When do you have free time?
This is a classic way to ask someone's availability for a meeting, a project discussion, or even just to grab a coffee.
开会的时候请保持安静。
- Translation Hint
- Please be quiet during the meeting.
Here, 时候 (shíhou) specifies the duration or period of the meeting. It's about 'at the time of the meeting'.
你放学的时候记得给我打电话。
- Translation Hint
- Remember to call me when you finish school.
This shows how 时候 (shíhou) can mark a specific event in time.
§ In the News and Formal Contexts
While 时候 (shíhou) is common in daily talk, it also appears in news reports or more formal statements, usually to denote a significant period or event.
在困难的时候，我们更要团结。
- Translation Hint
- During difficult times, we need to be more united.
Here, 时候 (shíhou) refers to a general period of 'difficult times'. It's not a specific clock time but a phase.
地震发生的时候，很多人都感到惊慌。
- Translation Hint
- When the earthquake occurred, many people felt panicked.
This example, typical in news reports, uses 时候 (shíhou) to pinpoint the 'moment' or 'time' when an event happened.
- In casual speech, you might hear people shorten 时候 (shíhou) to just 时 (shí) in some contexts, but as a beginner, always stick to 时候 (shíhou) for clarity.
- Pay attention to the words that come before 时候 (shíhou). They usually describe the event or period.
§ General Usage and Questions
You'll also hear 时候 (shíhou) in many general questions about timing.
你是什么时候开始学中文的？
- Translation Hint
- When did you start learning Chinese?
This asks for the 'time' or 'point in time' someone began an action.
吃饭的时候不要玩手机。
- Translation Hint
- Don't play with your phone when eating.
This is a common instruction you might hear from parents or teachers, indicating a rule for 'during the time of eating'.
§ Using 时候 for specific times
Many learners, especially at the A1 level, get confused when to use 时候 and when to use other words for 'time'. Remember, 时候 generally refers to a period of time, a moment, or an occasion, but not a precise clock time or duration. If you want to say 'what time is it?' you would use 几点 (jǐ diǎn), not 什么时候 (shénme shíhou).
- DEFINITION
- 时候 (shíhou) is for general time periods or moments, not specific clock times.
§ Confusing 时候 with 时间 (shíjiān)
This is a big one. Both can be translated as 'time' in English, but they are used differently. 时间 (shíjiān) refers to an amount of time or the concept of time in general, like 'I don't have time' or 'time flies'. 时候 refers to a specific point or period when something happens.
- DEFINITION
- 时间 (shíjiān) = duration, abstract concept of time. 时候 (shíhou) = a point or period of time.
我没有时间看电影。(Wǒ méiyǒu shíjiān kàn diànyǐng.)
(I don't have [enough] time to watch a movie.)
你什么时候来我家？(Nǐ shénme shíhou lái wǒ jiā?)
(When [at what moment/time period] are you coming to my house?)
§ Placing 时候 incorrectly in sentences
The position of 时候 can be tricky. It often follows a noun or a clause to specify 'when' that noun or clause is relevant. It typically comes *after* the event or situation it refers to, forming a 'time phrase'.
Incorrect: 时候吃饭 (shíhou chīfàn) - 'time to eat' (literally 'time eat meal')
Correct: 吃饭的时候 (chīfàn de shíhou) - 'when eating' or 'at the time of eating'
我小时候，喜欢玩玩具。(Wǒ xiǎo shíhou, xǐhuan wán wánjù.)
(When I was little/a child, I liked to play with toys.)
Here, 小 (xiǎo) means 'small' or 'young', and when combined with 时候, it means 'when I was young/a child'.
看电视的时候，不要吃东西。(Kàn diànshì de shíhou, bú yào chī dōngxi.)
(When watching TV, don't eat things.)
§ Omitting '的' before 时候
While often optional in informal speech, for clarity and grammatical correctness, especially when a phrase describes the 'when', you'll frequently see 的 (de) before 时候. For example, 吃饭的时候 (chīfàn de shíhou) is more common and grammatically solid than 吃饭时候. However, with single-character adjectives or common time words like 小时候 (xiǎo shíhou - childhood), the 的 is often dropped.
- DEFINITION
- The particle 的 (de) often links a descriptive phrase to 时候.
你来中国的时候，给我打电话。(Nǐ lái Zhōngguó de shíhou, gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà.)
(When you come to China, give me a call.)
In Chinese, expressing 'time' or 'moment' can be a little tricky because there are a few words that seem similar. Today, we're going to break down 时候 (shí hou) and compare it to some other common terms you might encounter.
§ What '时候' means
- DEFINITION
- 时候 (shí hou) is a noun that means 'time' or 'moment'. It's super versatile and used in many everyday situations.
Think of it as a general term for a point in time or a period. It can be specific or vague, depending on the context.
你什么时候有空？ (Nǐ shí hou yǒu kòng?)
When do you (have) free (time)?
那时候我很小。 (Nà shí hou wǒ hěn xiǎo.)
That (time) I (was) very small.
§ '时候' vs '时间' (shí jiān)
This is where it gets interesting. Both 时候 (shí hou) and 时间 (shí jiān) translate to 'time' in English, but they're not interchangeable.
- DEFINITION
- 时间 (shí jiān) refers to time as a concept, a duration, or a resource. It's often about 'how much time' or 'the passage of time'.
Here's the key difference:
- 时候 (shí hou): Focuses on a specific point in time or a period *when* something happens. It often answers 'when?'
- 时间 (shí jiān): Focuses on the duration, the amount of time, or time in general. It often answers 'how much time?'
我没有时间。 (Wǒ méi yǒu shí jiān.)
I (don't) have time.
In this example, you're talking about not having enough time (a resource). You wouldn't use 时候 here.
我们有很多时间。 (Wǒmen yǒu hěn duō shí jiān.)
We have a lot of time.
Again, referring to an amount of time.
§ '时候' in 'When... (then)...' constructions
时候 (shí hou) is super common in 'when...then...' clauses. It's often used with words like 的 (de) to form a phrase that specifies 'when'.
我吃饭的时候，他来了。 (Wǒ chī fàn de shí hou, tā lái le.)
When I (was) eating (food), he came.
Here, '我吃饭的时候' literally means 'the time when I was eating'.
小的时候，我喜欢玩游戏。 (Xiǎo de shí hou, wǒ xǐ huān wán yóu xì.)
(When I was) little, I liked playing games.
'小的时候' means 'when (I was) little'. This is a common way to talk about a period in the past.
§ '时候' with questions
You'll often hear 时候 (shí hou) in questions about 'when'.
你什么时候回家？ (Nǐ shénme shí hou huí jiā?)
When do you go home?
'什么时候' (shénme shí hou) directly translates to 'what time' or 'when'.
How Formal Is It?
"现在是投资的最好时机。(Now is the best time to invest.)"
"我什么时候可以去看你？(When can I go see you?)"
"等会儿我给你打电话。(I'll call you in a bit.)"
"睡觉时间到了！(It's bedtime!)"
"几点儿了？(What time is it?)"
Dato curioso
The character 候 (hòu) can also refer to 'weather' or 'season' when combined with other characters, for example, 气候 (qìhòu) meaning 'climate' or 'weather'.
Nivel de dificultad
Common character, simple structure.
Common character, simple structure.
Frequent use in daily conversation, easy to pronounce.
Clear pronunciation, easily distinguishable.
Qué aprender después
Requisitos previos
Aprende después
Avanzado
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
你什么时候有空？
When are you free?
我们什么时候见面？
When shall we meet?
那时候我很忙。
I was very busy at that time.
我现在没时间。
I don't have time right now.
有时候我会忘记。
Sometimes I forget.
小时候我喜欢玩游戏。
I liked playing games when I was little.
是时候走了。
It's time to go.
到时候我会告诉你。
I'll tell you when the time comes.
你什么时候开始学的？
When did you start learning?
他什么时候会来？
When will he come?
Familia de palabras
Sustantivos
Consejos
Basic Meaning of 时候
时候 (shí hou) is a very common word in Chinese. It means time or moment. Think of it like saying 'at this time' or 'at that moment'.
Asking 'What time?' with 时候
You can use 时候 to ask 'What time?' or 'When?'. For example, '什么时候?' (shén me shí hou?) means 'When?' or 'At what time?'.
Using 时候 for 'When...'
时候 often comes at the end of a time phrase to mean 'when...'. For instance, '吃饭的时候' (chī fàn de shí hou) means 'when eating' or 'at mealtime'.
的时候 Structure
The structure '[Verb/Noun] 的时候' is very common. It means 'when [verb/noun]'. Practice using it with different actions, like '睡觉的时候' (shuì jiào de shí hou) for 'when sleeping'.
Talking about a Specific Time
You can use 时候 to refer to a specific point in time. For example, '那个时候' (nà ge shí hou) means 'at that time' or 'at that moment'.
Referring to an Era or Period
有时候, 时候 can refer to a longer period or era, like '古代的时候' (gǔ dài de shí hou) for 'in ancient times'.
Avoid confusing with 时间
While both relate to time, 时候 is more about a point in time or a specific moment, whereas 时间 (shí jiān) refers to duration or general time. Think of 时候 as 'when' and 时间 as 'how long' or 'the time available'.
Common Phrase: 有时候
A very useful phrase is '有时候' (yǒu shí hou), which means 'sometimes'. This is a great way to add nuance to your sentences.
Putting it with 'No time'
If you want to say 'no time' for something specific, you can use '没时间' (méi shí jiān). For instance, '我没时间' (wǒ méi shí jiān) means 'I don't have time'.
Practice with Daily Routines
Integrate 时候 into your daily routine descriptions. For example, '起床的时候' (qǐ chuáng de shí hou) for 'when waking up' or '睡觉的时候' (shuì jiào de shí hou) for 'when sleeping'. The more you use it, the more natural it will become.
Origen de la palabra
时候 (shíhou) is composed of 2 characters: 时 (shí) and 候 (hòu). 时 means 'time' or 'hour'. 候 means 'to await', 'to expect', or 'moment'. Together, they form 'time' or 'moment'.
Significado original: The original meaning of 时候 was indeed 'time' or 'moment', and this meaning has been consistently maintained throughout its linguistic evolution.
Sino-TibetanContexto cultural
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'time' (时候) is often intertwined with social interactions. For example, asking someone '你什么时候有空？' (Nǐ shénme shíhou yǒu kòng?) meaning 'When do you have free time?' is a common way to initiate plans. Punctuality is generally valued, but there can be some flexibility in social settings, often described as '差不多' (chàbuduō), meaning 'around about' or 'close enough'.
Practica en la vida real
Contextos reales
Asking about when something happened or will happen.
- 你什么时候去中国？ (Nǐ shénme shíhou qù Zhōngguó? - When are you going to China?)
- 我们什么时候吃饭？ (Wǒmen shénme shíhou chīfàn? - When are we eating?)
- 他什么时候回来？ (Tā shénme shíhou huílái? - When is he coming back?)
Referring to a specific period or moment in time.
- 我小的时候住在这里。 (Wǒ xiǎo de shíhou zhù zài zhèlǐ. - I lived here when I was little.)
- 开会的时候请安静。 (Kāihuì de shíhou qǐng ānjìng. - Please be quiet during the meeting.)
- 你回家的时候给我打电话。 (Nǐ huíjiā de shíhou gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà. - Call me when you get home.)
Expressing that it's time for something.
- 是时候睡觉了。 (Shì shíhou shuìjiào le. - It's time to sleep.)
- 是时候走了。 (Shì shíhou zǒu le. - It's time to go.)
- 是时候学习了。 (Shì shíhou xuéxí le. - It's time to study.)
Discussing how much time something takes.
- 需要多长时间？ (Xūyào duō cháng shíjiān? - How much time does it need?)
- 我没有时间。 (Wǒ méiyǒu shíjiān. - I don't have time.)
- 这需要很多时间。 (Zhè xūyào hěn duō shíjiān. - This takes a lot of time.)
Talking about leisure time or free time.
- 你什么时候有空？ (Nǐ shénme shíhou yǒu kòng? - When are you free/available?)
- 我有时间看电影。 (Wǒ yǒu shíjiān kàn diànyǐng. - I have time to watch a movie.)
- 我没有多余的时间。 (Wǒ méiyǒu duōyú de shíjiān. - I don't have extra time.)
Inicios de conversación
"你什么时候开始学中文的？ (Nǐ shénme shíhou kāishǐ xué Zhōngwén de? - When did you start learning Chinese?)"
"你什么时候最喜欢做运动？ (Nǐ shénme shíhou zuì xǐhuan zuò yùndòng? - When do you like to exercise the most?)"
"你上次去旅行是什么时候？ (Nǐ shàng cì qù lǚxíng shì shénme shíhou? - When was the last time you traveled?)"
"你觉得什么时候是学习最好的时候？ (Nǐ juéde shénme shíhou shì xuéxí zuì hǎo de shíhou? - When do you think is the best time to study?)"
"你什么时候会觉得很开心？ (Nǐ shénme shíhou huì juéde hěn kāixīn? - When do you feel very happy?)"
Temas para diario
描述你一天中最喜欢的时候，以及为什么。 (Miáoshù nǐ yì tiān zhōng zuì xǐhuan de shíhou, yǐjí wèishénme. - Describe your favorite time of day and why.)
写一篇关于你童年时最难忘的时刻。 (Xiě yì piān guānyú nǐ tóngnián shí zuì nánwàng de shíkè. - Write about a most unforgettable moment from your childhood.)
如果你能回到过去，你会选择回到哪个时候？为什么？ (Rúguǒ nǐ néng huídào guòqù, nǐ huì xuǎnzé huídào nǎge shíhou? Wèishénme? - If you could go back in time, which moment would you choose to go back to? Why?)
你觉得什么时候最有创造力？ (Nǐ juéde shénme shíhou zuì yǒu chuàngzàolì? - When do you feel most creative?)
描述一个你觉得时间过得很快的时刻。 (Miáoshù yí ge nǐ juéde shíjiān guò de hěn kuài de shíkè. - Describe a moment when you felt time passed very quickly.)
Ponte a prueba 72 preguntas
你什么___来中国？ (When are you coming to China?)
Here, '时候' is used after '什么' to ask 'what time' or 'when'.
我吃饭的___，他打电话给我。 (When I was eating, he called me.)
'...的时候' is a common structure to say 'when...' or 'at the time of...'.
我们下午三点的___见面。 (Let's meet at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.)
'...的时候' can also specify a particular point in time.
你什么时候___家？ (When are you going home?)
This exercise tests the natural collocation with '时候' to ask about returning home. The correct verb to use when asking about returning home is '回'.
我没___钱的时候，常常不开心。 (When I don't have money, I'm often unhappy.)
'没有钱的时候' means 'when there is no money' or 'when I don't have money'.
她很小___时候，来过这里。 (When she was very young, she came here before.)
'...的时候' is the standard way to form a time clause. Here, '小的' is used to describe the '时候' (time/moment) when she was small.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 你什么时候去？ (Nǐ ______ qù?)
什么时候 (shénme shíhou) means 'when' or 'what time'.
Which sentence correctly uses '时候' to ask about time?
什么时候 (shénme shíhou) is used to ask 'when' an action happens.
Select the best translation for: '我回家的时候，他不在家。' (Wǒ huí jiā de shíhou, tā bù zài jiā.)
…的时候 (…de shíhou) means 'when…' or 'at the time of…'.
The sentence '你什么时候学习？' (Nǐ shénme shíhou xuéxí?) means 'When do you study?'
什么时候 (shénme shíhou) is a common way to ask 'when' in Chinese.
'时候' can only be used as a standalone noun, not part of a phrase.
'时候' is often used in phrases like '什么时候' (when) or '…的时候' (when…).
The sentence '这是我的时候。' (Zhè shì wǒ de shíhou.) means 'This is my time.'
在这里，'时候' 指的是 '时间' 或 '时刻'，表示属于某人的时刻。
Write a sentence asking someone what time it is, using 时候.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
现在是什么时候？ (What time is it now?)
Write a sentence saying 'When I go to school...', using 时候.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我去学校的时候... (When I go to school...)
Write a simple sentence about a specific time, for example, 'That time was very good.', using 时候.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
那个时候很好。 (That time was very good.)
Based on the passage, what does the speaker like to do when eating?
Read this passage:
吃饭的时候，我喜欢听音乐。你呢？ (When eating, I like to listen to music. How about you?)
Based on the passage, what does the speaker like to do when eating?
The passage clearly states '我喜欢听音乐' (I like to listen to music).
The passage clearly states '我喜欢听音乐' (I like to listen to music).
What time is the person going home?
Read this passage:
你什么时候回家？ 我下午三点回家。 (When are you going home? I'm going home at 3 PM.)
What time is the person going home?
The answer '我下午三点回家' means 'I'm going home at 3 PM'.
The answer '我下午三点回家' means 'I'm going home at 3 PM'.
What happened to the store at '这个时候'?
Read this passage:
这个时候，商店关门了。 (At this time, the store is closed.)
What happened to the store at '这个时候'?
The passage states '商店关门了' which means 'the store closed'.
The passage states '商店关门了' which means 'the store closed'.
你什么___去中国？(When are you going to China?)
In this context, '时候' is used to ask 'when' something will happen. '时间' refers to a general duration or specific clock time. '日子' means 'day'. '年代' means 'era' or 'decade'.
我吃饭的___，他打电话给我。(While I was eating, he called me.)
'时候' is often used after a verb phrase to indicate 'when' or 'while' an action is taking place. '时间' refers to a period of time. '分钟' means 'minute'. '期间' means 'period' or 'duration'.
你上学的___，我们是好朋友。(When you were in school, we were good friends.)
'时候' is used here to refer to a period in one's life ('when you were in school'). '时期' can also mean 'period' but is more formal. '年龄' means 'age'. '时代' means 'era'.
那个___，我不在家。(At that time, I was not at home.)
'那个时候' is a common phrase meaning 'at that time' or 'at that moment'. '时间' refers to a general duration or specific clock time. '地点' means 'location'. '日期' means 'date'.
请你告诉我现在是几点___？(Please tell me what time it is now?)
While '几点钟' is also common for asking the time, '几点时候' can also be used, especially in spoken Chinese to mean 'what time/moment is it?'. '分' means 'minute'. '点' is for hours. '时候' is a more general term for 'time' or 'moment'.
你什么时候有___去北京？(When do you have time to go to Beijing?)
Here, the question asks 'when do you have time (duration/availability)'. '时间' is the appropriate word for 'time' as in 'free time' or 'available time'. '时候' is about 'when' an event occurs. '机会' means 'opportunity'. '办法' means 'method'.
Write a sentence describing a specific time or moment when you felt happy, using 时候.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我最快乐的时候是和家人一起吃饭。
Imagine you are making plans with a friend. Write a question asking what time they are free, using 时候.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
你什么时候有空我们一起去咖啡店？
Describe a moment from your past that you often think about. Use 时候 in your sentence.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我经常想起小时候在公园玩耍的时候。
小明喜欢什么时候看书？
Read this passage:
小明喜欢在晚上看书。他觉得这个时候家里比较安静，没有人打扰他学习。
小明喜欢什么时候看书？
文章中明确提到“小明喜欢在晚上看书”。
文章中明确提到“小明喜欢在晚上看书”。
说话人什么时候学到了中国文化知识？
Read this passage:
去中国旅游的时候，我学到了很多关于中国文化的知识。那是一段很美好的回忆。
说话人什么时候学到了中国文化知识？
文章中提到“去中国旅游的时候，我学到了很多关于中国文化的知识”。
文章中提到“去中国旅游的时候，我学到了很多关于中国文化的知识”。
他什么时候会检查包里有没有钥匙？
Read this passage:
他经常忘记带钥匙，所以每次出门的时候都要检查一下包里有没有钥匙。
他什么时候会检查包里有没有钥匙？
文章中写道“每次出门的时候都要检查一下包里有没有钥匙”。
文章中写道“每次出门的时候都要检查一下包里有没有钥匙”。
This sentence asks 'When are you free?'
This sentence means 'Don't talk to me when I'm eating.'
This sentence translates to 'She was very sad when she left.'
Choose the correct sentence: When is the best time to visit Beijing?
The structure 什么时候是...的时候？ is commonly used for 'When is the best time for...?'
Which of the following describes a 'difficult moment'?
困难 (kùnnán) means difficult, so 困难的时候 (kùnnán de shíhou) directly translates to 'difficult moment'.
Which sentence means 'At that time, I was still a student'?
那个时候 (nàge shíhou) means 'at that time'. The comma is optional but good for flow.
The sentence '我们聊了一会儿时候' (Wǒmen liáo le yīhuǐ'er shíhou) means 'We chatted for a while'.
You should say 我们聊了一会儿 (Wǒmen liáo le yīhuǐ'er). Adding 时候 here is redundant and incorrect.
'有的时候' (yǒu de shíhou) can be translated as 'sometimes'.
Yes, '有的时候' (yǒu de shíhou) is a common way to say 'sometimes' in Chinese.
It's grammatically correct to say '他工作的时候很认真' (Tā gōngzuò de shíhou hěn rènzhēn) to mean 'He is very serious when he works'.
The structure '...的时候' (...de shíhou) is correctly used here to mean 'when/at the time of...'.
When are you free?
I often played here when I was little.
By this time, we should have finished.
Read this aloud:
你觉得什么时候学中文最好？
Focus: 最好 (zuì hǎo)
Dijiste:
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Read this aloud:
我记得那个时候，我们每天都很快乐。
Focus: 快乐 (kuài lè)
Dijiste:
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Read this aloud:
不管什么时候，我都会支持你。
Focus: 支持 (zhī chí)
Dijiste:
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This sentence structure indicates an action (我们完成了) happening while another action (他们工作) is in progress. '的时候' follows the action that is ongoing.
The phrase '一个人在家的时候' describes the circumstance when she feels lonely. '的时候' links the circumstance to the main verb '感到'.
'到时候' is a common phrase meaning 'when the time comes' or 'at that time'. It functions as a temporal adverbial.
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: “你什么______去北京？”
In this context, '时候' (shíhou) is used to ask 'what time' or 'when' you are going to Beijing. '时间' (shíjiān) refers to a general concept of time or a duration. '日期' (rìqī) means date, and '期间' (qījiān) means period or duration.
Which sentence correctly uses '时候' to express 'at the time when'?
The structure '...的时候' (de shíhou) means 'at the time when...' or 'while...'. So, '我吃饭的时候，他来了' translates to 'When I was eating, he came.'
Select the sentence where '时候' refers to a specific moment or occasion.
In '这个这个时候，我们应该怎么办？' (Zhège shíhou, wǒmen yīnggāi zěnme bàn?), '这个时候' (zhège shíhou) points to a specific current moment or situation. The other options use '时候' in a more general sense of 'time' or 'occasion'.
The sentence '你什么时候去旅行？' can be translated as 'When are you going to travel?'
'什么时候' (shénme shíhou) is commonly used to ask 'when' or 'at what time'.
'我没有时间' and '我没有时候' are interchangeable in most contexts to mean 'I don't have time'.
'我没有时间' (wǒ méiyǒu shíjiān) means 'I don't have time' and refers to a general lack of available time. '我没有时候' (wǒ méiyǒu shíhou) is not a common or natural phrase in this context. '时候' typically refers to a specific point or period.
In the sentence '小时候，我喜欢看动画片。' (Xiǎo shíhou, wǒ xǐhuān kàn dònghuàpiàn.), '小时候' means 'in childhood' or 'when I was little'.
'小时候' (xiǎo shíhou) literally means 'small time' but is idiomatically used to mean 'when I was a child' or 'in childhood'.
Describe a moment in your life when you felt extremely proud. What happened, and who was there? Use '时候' at least once in your description.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我记得有一次，当我完成了一个非常困难的项目，并且得到了老板的高度赞扬的那个时候，我感到非常骄傲。我的同事们都在现场为我鼓掌，那真是个难忘的时刻。
Imagine you are explaining a complex historical event to a friend. Choose an event and describe its key turning points, using '时候' to refer to different periods or critical junctures. Focus on clarity and logical flow.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
在二战初期，当德国入侵波兰的时候，欧洲的局势立刻变得紧张起来。随后，日本偷袭珍珠港的时候，美国才正式参战，这标志着战争进入了一个全新的阶段。
Write a short personal reflection about a period of significant personal growth. What challenges did you face, and what did you learn? Use '时候' to mark different phases of your journey.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
在大学毕业的时候，我曾经感到非常迷茫。那段时候，我面临着很多职业选择的困惑。然而，当我开始第一份工作的时候，我逐渐学会了如何独立解决问题，这让我成长了很多。
根据短文，作者认为人生中重要的“时候”具有什么特点？
Read this passage:
人生中有很多重要的“时候”。有我们出生的时候，有我们第一次上学的时候，也有我们结婚生子的时候。每一个这样的“时候”都承载着独特的回忆和情感。它们构成了我们生命的故事，塑造了我们成为怎样的人。
根据短文，作者认为人生中重要的“时候”具有什么特点？
短文中提到“每一个这样的‘时候’都承载着独特的回忆和情感”。
短文中提到“每一个这样的‘时候’都承载着独特的回忆和情感”。
这段文字主要强调了面对挑战的“时候”会带来什么？
Read this passage:
面对挑战的时候，我们往往会感到无助和焦虑。但正是这些艰难的时刻，才能真正考验一个人的意志和韧性。度过这些“时候”之后，我们会发现自己变得更加坚强和成熟，对生活也有了更深刻的理解。
这段文字主要强调了面对挑战的“时候”会带来什么？
短文中说“正是这些艰难的时刻，才能真正考验一个人的意志和韧性”。
短文中说“正是这些艰难的时刻，才能真正考验一个人的意志和韧性”。
作者在文中提出了一个什么建议？
Read this passage:
在经济快速发展的时代，人们的生活节奏也变得越来越快。很多时候，我们为了追求物质上的成功，而忽视了精神层面的满足。反思一下，我们是否应该放慢脚步，多关注一下内在的感受和身边的人，珍惜每一个当下的“时候”？
作者在文中提出了一个什么建议？
文章最后提到“我们是否应该放慢脚步，多关注一下内在的感受和身边的人，珍惜每一个当下的‘时候’？”
文章最后提到“我们是否应该放慢脚步，多关注一下内在的感受和身边的人，珍惜每一个当下的‘时候’？”
This sentence asks 'When did he come?' The structure '是...的' is used to emphasize the time of an action.
This asks 'When do you think is the best time to go?' '什么时候' means 'when'.
This sentence means 'Next time we meet, please tell me the answer.' '的时候' indicates 'when/at the time of'.
/ 72 correct
Perfect score!
Basic Meaning of 时候
时候 (shí hou) is a very common word in Chinese. It means time or moment. Think of it like saying 'at this time' or 'at that moment'.
Asking 'What time?' with 时候
You can use 时候 to ask 'What time?' or 'When?'. For example, '什么时候?' (shén me shí hou?) means 'When?' or 'At what time?'.
Using 时候 for 'When...'
时候 often comes at the end of a time phrase to mean 'when...'. For instance, '吃饭的时候' (chī fàn de shí hou) means 'when eating' or 'at mealtime'.
的时候 Structure
The structure '[Verb/Noun] 的时候' is very common. It means 'when [verb/noun]'. Practice using it with different actions, like '睡觉的时候' (shuì jiào de shí hou) for 'when sleeping'.
Ejemplo
我小时候很喜欢看书。
Contenido relacionado
Esta palabra en otros idiomas
Gramática relacionada
Frases relacionadas
Más palabras de general
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
一点儿
A1a little, a bit
一会儿
A1a moment, a while
一部分
B1part; portion; minority
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
