When you want to say “to time something” in Chinese, you can use 计时 (jì shí). This verb means to measure how long something takes. For example, if you are running a race, someone might 计时 to see how fast you run. You can also use 计时 if you are cooking and need to know how long something has been on the stove.
§ Similar Words and When to Use This One vs Alternatives
When you're learning Chinese, it's common to find several words that seem to mean the same thing. This is especially true for verbs related to actions like 'timing.' Let's look at how 计时 (jì shí) compares to a few other related terms and when you should use each one.
§ 计时 (jì shí) vs. 定时 (dìng shí)
- Definition
- To time; to keep time; to measure the duration of an event.
计时 (jì shí) focuses on the act of measuring the elapsed time of an event or activity. Think of it as actively running a stopwatch or tracking how long something takes.
比赛开始后，裁判员会计时。(Bǐsài kāishǐ hòu, cáipànyuán huì jì shí.) — After the game starts, the referee will time it.
我需要一个工具来计时我的跑步训练。(Wǒ xūyào yīgè gōngjù lái jì shí wǒ de pǎobù xùnliàn.) — I need a tool to time my running training.
- Definition
- To set a time; to schedule; to operate on a set timer.
定时 (dìng shí) is about setting a specific time or a duration for something to happen automatically. It implies a pre-set schedule or a timer that will trigger an action at a certain point or after a certain period.
我把烤箱定时二十分钟。(Wǒ bǎ kǎoxiāng dìng shí èr shí fēnzhōng.) — I set the timer on the oven for twenty minutes.
这个节目是定时播出的。(Zhège jiémù shì dìng shí bōchū de.) — This program is broadcast at a set time.
§ 计时 (jì shí) vs. 计时间 (jì shí jiān)
You might also hear 计时间 (jì shí jiān). While both include 计时, adding 间 (jiān), which means 'time' or 'interval,' can feel redundant or slightly different depending on context.
计时 (jì shí): This is the more concise and commonly used verb for 'to time' or 'to keep time.' It's a complete verb by itself.
计时间 (jì shí jiān): This phrase emphasizes the 'time interval' or 'duration.' It can be used, but 计时 is usually sufficient and more natural in most contexts where you mean 'to time something.'
老师用秒表计时间。(Lǎoshī yòng miǎobiǎo jì shí jiān.) — The teacher used a stopwatch to time the interval.
§ Other 'Time' Related Words
Here are a couple of other words that involve 'time' but have different functions:
- 记录 (jì lù)
- To record.
While you might record time, 记录 itself means 'to record' anything, not specifically time. You would use it with time, e.g., 记录时间 (jì lù shí jiān - to record time).
请记录下每个选手的成绩。(Qǐng jì lù xià měi gè xuǎnshǒu de chéngjī.) — Please record each athlete's results.
- 计算 (jì suàn)
- To calculate.
This is about performing mathematical operations. You might calculate the total time, but 计算 focuses on the arithmetic, not the act of measuring or setting a timer.
我们正在计算完成项目所需的总时间。(Wǒmen zhèngzài jì suàn wánchéng xiàngmù suǒ xū de zǒng shíjiān.) — We are calculating the total time needed to complete the project.
So, when you need to actively measure how long something takes using a stopwatch or similar method, 计时 (jì shí) is your go-to word. Keep these distinctions in mind to use Chinese vocabulary accurately and naturally!
Le savais-tu ?
This word clearly illustrates the compositional nature of many Chinese characters, where combining two meaningful characters creates a new word whose meaning is a straightforward sum of its parts.
Niveau de difficulté
short
short
short
short
Quoi apprendre ensuite
Prérequis
Apprends ensuite
Avancé
Grammaire à connaître
Can be used with a time duration to express timing something for that specific period.
计时十分钟 (to time for ten minutes)
Often followed by a phrase indicating what is being timed.
计时跑步 (to time a run)
Can be used to refer to a device that keeps time (e.g., a stopwatch).
用计时器 (use a timer)
Can be used in the context of competition or testing to mean 'to time' a participant or event.
比赛计时 (to time the competition)
Can be used to indicate that something is being recorded for its duration.
工作计时 (to record work hours)
Exemples par niveau
我需要计时，看看我跑得有多快。
I need to time myself to see how fast I run.
老师用秒表计时，看学生做题的速度。
The teacher used a stopwatch to time how fast the students did the problems.
比赛有裁判计时，确保公平。
The competition has judges timing to ensure fairness.
这个设备可以精确计时。
This device can time accurately.
我们轮流计时，每人五分钟。
We take turns timing, five minutes each person.
请你帮我计时，我做仰卧起坐。
Please help me time while I do sit-ups.
他忘了计时，所以不知道用了多长时间。
He forgot to time, so he doesn't know how long it took.
每次训练我们都会计时，记录进步。
We time every training session to record progress.
老师计时，看谁跑得最快。
The teacher times to see who runs the fastest.
比赛开始前，裁判会计时。
Before the game starts, the referee will time it.
这个设备可以精确计时。
This device can time accurately.
我们需要一个人来计时。
We need someone to keep time.
你计时，我来做饭。
You time, I'll cook.
他负责计时，确保比赛公平。
He is responsible for timing to ensure a fair game.
我设定了闹钟计时。
I set an alarm to time it.
请你帮我计时一下这个练习。
Please help me time this exercise.
Souvent confondu avec
While 计时 involves recording time, 记录时间 (jìlù shíjiān) is more direct for 'to record time'.
This is 设置时间 (shèzhì shíjiān) or 规定时间 (guīdìng shíjiān), which is different from 'to time' an event.
This is 暂停 (zàntíng), which is a pause, not the act of 'timing' something.
Facile à confondre
Both relate to 'time', but 计时 is a verb meaning 'to time something', while 时间 is a noun referring to 'time' itself.
计时 is an action (to measure time duration). 时间 is the concept or period of time.
比赛计时员在计时。 (The game timer is timing [the game].) 我们没有时间了。 (We don't have time left.)
钟 can mean 'clock' or 'bell', which are tools for time, but it's not the verb 'to time'.
计时 is the act of timing. 钟 is the instrument used to tell or measure time.
他用秒表计时。 (He uses a stopwatch to time it.) 墙上有一个大钟。 (There's a big clock on the wall.)
时刻 refers to a specific point in time, not the action of measuring duration.
计时 is about measuring a duration. 时刻 is a precise moment.
教练让运动员计时跑。 (The coach asked the athlete to time their run.) 这个时刻非常重要。 (This moment is very important.)
时候 is a general word for 'time' or 'moment', often used with 'when'. It doesn't mean 'to time'.
计时 is the verb for timing. 时候 is a noun indicating a period or moment.
我们正在计时这个实验。 (We are timing this experiment.) 你什么时候有空？ (When are you free?)
期限 refers to a deadline or a time limit, which is a result of timing or a set duration, but not the act of timing itself.
计时 is the action. 期限 is the fixed period or deadline.
请帮我计时一下这个任务。 (Please help me time this task.) 项目的期限快到了。 (The project deadline is approaching.)
Famille de mots
Noms
Verbes
Comment l'utiliser
计时 (jì shí) is used to describe the act of measuring how long something takes. It’s often used in contexts like sports, tests, or experiments where precise timing is important.
计时 can be used to mean:
1. To measure time: 我需要一个秒表来计时。 (Wǒ xūyào yí gè miǎobiǎo lái jìshí.) - I need a stopwatch to time.
2. To time an event: 比赛开始了，请开始计时。 (Bǐsài kāishǐ le, qǐng kāishǐ jìshí.) - The game has started, please begin timing.
3. To count down/up for a specific duration: 我们计时三分钟完成这个任务。 (Wǒmen jìshí sān fēnzhōng wánchéng zhège rènwù.) - We'll time three minutes to complete this task.
A common mistake is confusing 计时 (jì shí) with 时间 (shí jiān), which means 'time' as a noun. While both relate to time, 计时 is a verb indicating the action of timing, whereas 时间 refers to the abstract concept or a specific period of time.
Incorrect: 他时间跑步。 (Tā shíjiān páobù.) - This is grammatically incorrect. You cannot use 时间 as a verb to mean 'to time'.
Correct: 他计时跑步。 (Tā jìshí páobù.) - He times his running. (Meaning he measures how long he runs.)
Another mistake is using 计时 when you mean 'to spend time'. For 'to spend time', you should use 花时间 (huā shí jiān).
Incorrect: 我计时了两个小时学习。 (Wǒ jìshí le liǎng gè xiǎoshí xuéxí.) - This implies you measured two hours of studying, not that you spent two hours studying.
Correct: 我花时间学习了两个小时。 (Wǒ huā shíjiān xuéxí le liǎng gè xiǎoshí.) - I spent two hours studying.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Imagine a **gee**nie saying 'Gee, let's **shee** (计时 - jì shí) how fast you can do that!' as he times you.
Association visuelle
Picture a person with a stopwatch, intently focused on 'timing' an event. The '计' (jì) part looks a bit like a person's head and shoulders, and '时' (shí) can make you think of a clock or time itself.
Word Web
Défi
Try using '计时' in a sentence related to everyday activities. For example: '我用手机计时跑步。' (Wǒ yòng shǒujī jì shí pǎo bù.) - I use my phone to time my run. Or, '老师开始计时了吗？' (Lǎo shī kāi shǐ jì shí le ma?) - Has the teacher started timing?
Origine du mot
Composed of '计' (jì - to calculate, to count) and '时' (shí - time).
Sens originel : The literal combination means 'calculate time' or 'count time,' which directly leads to its modern meaning of timing.
Sino-Tibetan, Sinitic, Mandarin Chinese.Contexte culturel
When watching sports or participating in timed activities in China, you'll often hear '计时' being used. It's a very practical word, often used in official contexts like competitions or for setting time limits.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Sports and Games
- 计时比赛 (jì shí bǐ sài) - timed competition
- 裁判员在计时 (cái pàn yuán zài jì shí) - the referee is timing
- 计时器 (jì shí qì) - timer
Cooking and Baking
- 计时烹饪 (jì shí pēng rèn) - timed cooking
- 设置计时器 (shè zhì jì shí qì) - set a timer
- 计时蛋糕烘烤 (jì shí dàn gāo hōng kǎo) - time the cake baking
Studying and Work
- 计时学习 (jì shí xué xí) - timed study
- 计时任务 (jì shí rèn wù) - timed task
- 用计时器提高效率 (yòng jì shí qì tí gāo xiào lǜ) - use a timer to improve efficiency
Public Speaking and Presentations
- 计时演讲 (jì shí yǎn jiǎng) - timed speech
- 请注意计时 (qǐng zhù yì jì shí) - please mind the time
- 计时器在哪里？ (jì shí qì zài nǎ lǐ?) - where is the timer?
Everyday Life
- 计时洗澡 (jì shí xǐ zǎo) - time a shower
- 我需要计时 (wǒ xū yào jì shí) - I need to time it
- 你帮我计时好吗？ (nǐ bāng wǒ jì shí hǎo ma?) - can you help me time it?
Amorces de conversation
"你喜欢在做什么事情的时候计时？(Nǐ xǐhuān zài zuò shénme shìqíng de shíhòu jìshí?) - What activities do you like to time?"
"你觉得计时学习有用吗？(Nǐ juéde jìshí xuéxí yǒuyòng ma?) - Do you think timed study is useful?"
"你用过手机上的计时器吗？(Nǐ yòngguò shǒujī shàng de jìshíqì ma?) - Have you used the timer on your phone?"
"在体育比赛中，计时有多重要？(Zài tǐyù bǐsài zhōng, jìshí yǒu duō zhòngyào?) - How important is timing in sports competitions?"
"你有没有在做饭的时候忘记计时？(Nǐ yǒu méiyǒu zài zuòfàn de shíhòu wàngjì jìshí?) - Have you ever forgotten to time something while cooking?"
Sujets d'écriture
描述一次你使用计时器来完成任务的经历。(Miáoshù yī cì nǐ shǐyòng jìshíqì lái wánchéng rènwù de jīnglì.) - Describe an experience where you used a timer to complete a task.
如果你可以计时任何事情，你会计时什么？为什么？(Rúguǒ nǐ kěyǐ jìshí rènhé shìqíng, nǐ huì jìshí shénme? Wèishénme?) - If you could time anything, what would you time and why?
写下计时如何帮助你提高效率或更好地管理时间。(Xiě xià jìshí rúhé bāngzhù nǐ tígāo xiàolǜ huò gèng hǎo de guǎnlǐ shíjiān.) - Write about how timing helps you improve efficiency or manage time better.
你认为在什么情况下计时是不必要的，甚至会适得其反？(Nǐ rènwéi zài shénme qíngkuàng xià jìshí shì bù bìyào de, shènzhì huì shìdéqífǎn?) - In what situations do you think timing is unnecessary or even counterproductive?
计时对你的日常生活有什么影响？(Jìshí duì nǐ de rìcháng shēnghuó yǒu shénme yǐngxiǎng?) - How does timing affect your daily life?
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsThe Chinese word for 'to time' is 计时 (jì shí). It's a verb.
Yes, absolutely! You can say 计时比赛 (jì shí bǐ sài) which means 'to time a competition/race'.
Example: 裁判在给运动员计时。(Cái pàn zài gěi yùn dòng yuán jì shí.) - The referee is timing the athletes.
计时 (jì shí) is a verb meaning 'to time' or 'to keep time'. 时间 (shí jiān) is a noun meaning 'time'. So, you 计时 something, but you have 时间.
Example: 他在给跑步计时。(Tā zài gěi pǎo bù jì shí.) - He is timing the run.
Example: 我没有时间。(Wǒ méi yǒu shí jiān.) - I don't have time.
Yes, that's a perfect use for it. When you want to measure the duration of an activity, 计时 is the word to use.
Example: 我们需要计时这次实验。(Wǒ men xū yào jì shí zhè cì shí yàn.) - We need to time this experiment.
Yes, if you mean the act of using the timer function. For example, if you say 'I'm timing the eggs,' you would use 计时.
Example: 我用手机计时煮鸡蛋。(Wǒ yòng shǒu jī jì shí zhǔ jī dàn.) - I used my phone to time boiling the eggs.
To say 'stop timing,' you can use 停止计时 (tíng zhǐ jì shí).
Example: 比赛结束后，请停止计时。(Bǐ sài jié shù hòu, qǐng tíng zhǐ jì shí.) - After the competition ends, please stop timing.
You can use 开始计时 (kāi shǐ jì shí) for 'start timing'.
Example: 老师说：'开始计时！'(Lǎo shī shuō: 'Kāi shǐ jì shí!') - The teacher said: 'Start timing!'
In its most common usage, especially for A1 learners, 计时 primarily means 'to time' or 'to keep time'. You might encounter it in contexts like 计时器 (jì shí qì), which means 'timer' (the device), but as a verb, its core meaning is quite straightforward.
You can ask '谁在计时？' (Shéi zài jì shí?) which means 'Who is timing?'
Example: '谁在计时这次演讲？' (Shéi zài jì shí zhè cì yǎn jiǎng?) - 'Who is timing this speech?'
No, 计时 is specifically about measuring or observing the duration of an event. For 'time travel,' you'd use a different phrase like 时间旅行 (shí jiān lǚ xíng).
Teste-toi 42 questions
老师正在___学生跑步的速度。(The teacher is timing the students' running speed.)
计时 (jì shí) means 'to time' or 'to keep time', which fits the context of measuring speed.
请帮我___一下，看看我能憋气多久。(Please help me time it, to see how long I can hold my breath.)
计时 (jì shí) is used here for measuring the duration of an action.
比赛时，裁判需要准确地___。(During the competition, the referee needs to time accurately.)
In a competition, the referee's role often includes timing events precisely.
我们用秒表来___。(We use a stopwatch to time.)
A stopwatch is a tool specifically used for timing.
他喜欢___自己做饭的时间。(He likes to time himself cooking.)
Timing oneself (计时自己) is a common way to track how long an activity takes.
这个软件可以自动___你的工作时间。(This software can automatically time your work hours.)
Software that tracks work hours essentially 'times' them.
This sentence means 'We need to time it.' The subject '我们' (we) comes first, followed by the verb '需要' (need), and then the object '计时' (to time).
This sentence means 'He is timing his run.' '他' (he) is the subject, '正在' (is/are - ongoing action) indicates an action in progress, '计时' (to time) is the verb, and '跑步' (to run) is the activity being timed.
This sentence means 'Please help me time it.' '请' (please) is used for politeness, '帮我' (help me) indicates the action, and '计时' (to time) is what is being asked.
Choose the correct word for 'to time' in this sentence: 老师___学生跑了100米。
计时 (jì shí) means 'to time' or 'to keep time', which fits the context of timing a student running 100 meters. 时间 (shí jiān) is 'time' (noun), 时候 (shí hou) is 'moment/time', and 期间 (qī jiān) is 'period/duration'.
Which word means 'to keep track of time' in a competition? 比赛需要一个人来___。
计时 (jì shí) is the most appropriate word for 'to keep track of time' in a competition setting. 记录 (jì lù) means 'to record', 计算 (jì suàn) means 'to calculate', and 等待 (děng dài) means 'to wait'.
If you want to measure how long an activity takes, you would use the verb: 我用手机___。
计时 (jì shí) specifically means 'to time' an activity or event. 看时间 (kàn shí jiān) means 'to look at the time', 量时间 (liáng shí jiān) is not a common phrase for 'measuring time' in this context, and 数时间 (shǔ shí jiān) means 'to count time'.
You can use '计时' to say 'to look at the clock'.
计时 (jì shí) means 'to time' or 'to keep time', like with a stopwatch. To 'look at the clock' is 看时间 (kàn shí jiān).
The sentence '我们必须计时，不然会迟到。' means 'We must time it, otherwise we will be late.'
In this context, '计时' means to time an event or activity to ensure it's completed within a certain timeframe, fitting the meaning of not wanting to be late.
If someone is a '计时员' (jì shí yuán), they are a person who checks the weather.
A '计时员' (jì shí yuán) is a timekeeper or timer, someone whose job is to time events, not to check the weather.
The teacher times who runs fastest.
Please time how long it takes me to finish this.
The competition has a dedicated person to keep time, ensuring fairness and impartiality.
Read this aloud:
你能帮我计时一下吗？
Focus: 计时 (jì shí)
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
教练正在计时运动员的跑步速度。
Focus: 计时 (jì shí)
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我喜欢用手机计时做饭。
Focus: 计时 (jì shí)
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
The correct order is '比赛 (bǐsài) - competition, 已经 (yǐjīng) - already, 开始 (kāishǐ) - started, 计时 (jìshí) - to time', meaning 'The competition has already started timing'.
The correct order is '我们 (wǒmen) - we, 需要 (xūyào) - need, 准确地 (zhǔnquè de) - accurately, 为 (wèi) - for, 跑步 (pǎobù) - running, 计时 (jìshí) - to time', meaning 'We need to accurately time the running'.
The correct order is '他 (tā) - he, 正在 (zhèngzài) - currently, 用 (yòng) - using, 秒表 (miǎobiǎo) - stopwatch, 计时 (jìshí) - to time', meaning 'He is currently timing with a stopwatch'.
Imagine you are a sports commentator describing a close race. Use "计时" at least once in your description. Focus on the final moments of the competition.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
选手们都在全力冲刺，每个人都想赢得这场比赛。最后一名选手以微弱的优势领先，裁判正在精确地计时，看看谁是最终的胜利者。
You are a project manager setting up a new team. Write a short paragraph explaining the importance of accurate "计时" for project tasks and deadlines.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
对于我们团队的每个项目，准确的计时至关重要。这不仅能帮助我们提高工作效率，还能确保所有任务都能在截止日期前完成，避免延误。
Describe a personal experience where you needed to "计时" something carefully, and what the outcome was.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我记得有一次在厨房里做一道新菜，食谱要求精确计时。我用手机计时，确保每一步都按照时间来。结果菜做得非常成功，让我意识到计时是多么重要。
根据短文，在长跑比赛中什么决定了选手的最终排名？
Read this passage:
在长跑比赛中，选手们不仅要考验体能，更要学会合理分配体力。终点线前，电子计时器准确地记录下了每一位选手的成绩，决定了最终的排名。观众们屏住呼吸，等待着官方宣布比赛结果。
根据短文，在长跑比赛中什么决定了选手的最终排名？
短文中明确指出“电子计时器准确地记录下了每一位选手的成绩，决定了最终的排名”。
短文中明确指出“电子计时器准确地记录下了每一位选手的成绩，决定了最终的排名”。
对于新手厨师来说，为什么准确的计时工具很重要？
Read this passage:
一位经验丰富的厨师在烹饪时，通常不会严格依赖计时器，而是凭借对食材的了解和多年的经验来判断食物的成熟度。然而，对于新手来说，准确的计时工具是必不可少的，它可以帮助他们掌握火候，避免烹饪失败。
对于新手厨师来说，为什么准确的计时工具很重要？
短文中提到“对于新手来说，准确的计时工具是必不可少的，它可以帮助他们掌握火候，避免烹饪失败”，这暗示了新手缺乏经验。
短文中提到“对于新手来说，准确的计时工具是必不可少的，它可以帮助他们掌握火候，避免烹饪失败”，这暗示了新手缺乏经验。
为什么在奥运会田径项目中，计时工作被认为是至关重要的？
Read this passage:
奥运会上，田径项目的计时往往精确到毫秒。这不仅是对运动员努力的肯定，也是对比赛公平性的保证。任何微小的误差都可能影响最终的奖牌归属，因此计时团队的工作至关重要。
为什么在奥运会田径项目中，计时工作被认为是至关重要的？
短文中明确指出“这不仅是对运动员努力的肯定，也是对比赛公平性的保证。任何微小的误差都可能影响最终的奖牌归属，因此计时团队的工作至关重要。”
短文中明确指出“这不仅是对运动员努力的肯定，也是对比赛公平性的保证。任何微小的误差都可能影响最终的奖牌归属，因此计时团队的工作至关重要。”
Consider the ethical implications of rapidly advancing technology.
Think about the societal impact of policy-making.
Reflect on the dual nature of globalization: cultural exchange and homogenization.
Read this aloud:
请阐述您对可持续发展理念的理解以及在实践中如何落实。
Focus: 阐述, 理念, 落实
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
面对全球气候变化的挑战，国际社会应采取哪些具体措施来应对？
Focus: 挑战, 国际社会, 应对
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
您认为人工智能在未来社会中将扮演怎样的角色？请详细说明。
Focus: 人工智能, 扮演, 详细说明
Tu as dit :
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/ 42 correct
Perfect score!
Exemple
比赛开始，裁判开始计时。
Contenu associé
Plus de mots sur time
很久
A1A long time (ago); for a long time.
之后
A1After; subsequent to.
年老
A1Old (of people).
日程表
A1Schedule; timetable.
约定
A1To agree on a time; to make an appointment.
超前
B1Ahead of time; advanced.
提前
A1In advance; ahead of schedule.
随着
B1Along with; as (time passes).
古老
A1Ancient; age-old.
周年
A1Anniversary.
