When asking about the timing of an event, "什么时候" (shén me shí hou) is your go-to phrase. It literally translates to "what time" or "what moment."
It's very versatile and can be used to ask about specific times, dates, or even general periods.
Unlike some English constructions, you'll usually place "什么时候" before the verb in Chinese, or at the very end of the sentence.
Mastering this word is crucial for basic conversations about scheduling and daily activities.
§ Understanding 什么时候 (shénme shíhou)
You want to ask 'when' in Chinese? The most common and useful word is 什么时候 (shénme shíhou). It literally means 'what time' or 'what moment'. It's super versatile, so you'll hear and use it a lot.
- DEFINITION
- When, at what time
你什么时候来？ (Nǐ shénme shíhou lái?) - When are you coming?
我们什么时候吃饭？ (Wǒmen shénme shíhou chīfàn?) - When do we eat?
§ Common Uses of 什么时候
You can use 什么时候 to ask about any point in time, whether it's a specific date, a general period, or an exact hour. It's very flexible.
- To ask about an event's timing:
电影什么时候开始？ (Diànyǐng shénme shíhou kāishǐ?) - When does the movie start?
- To ask 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?
§ Alternatives to 什么时候 (shénme shíhou)
While 什么时候 is your go-to for 'when', there are other words and phrases that can ask about time, but they have specific nuances. You won't use them interchangeably with 什么时候.
几点 (jǐ diǎn) - What time (specifically asking for an hour)
Use 几点 when you expect an answer like '3 o'clock' or 'half past four'. It's much more precise about the hour.
现在几点？ (Xiànzài jǐ diǎn?) - What time is it now?
你几点睡觉？ (Nǐ jǐ diǎn shuìjiào?) - What time do you go to bed?
哪天 (nǎ tiān) - Which day
This asks for a specific day, like 'Monday' or 'the 15th'.
你哪天有空？ (Nǐ nǎ tiān yǒu kòng?) - Which day are you free?
哪年 (nǎ nián) - Which year
Used for asking about a specific year.
你哪年出生的？ (Nǐ nǎ nián chūshēng de?) - Which year were you born?
§ When to use 什么时候 (shénme shíhou) vs. other time words
The key takeaway: 什么时候 is your general question for 'when'. It's safe to use when you don't know if the answer will be an hour, a day, a month, or a year. The other 'which + time unit' phrases (几点, 哪天, 哪年) are for when you specifically want to know that particular time unit.
- If you want to know the exact hour, use 几点.
- If you want to know a specific day, use 哪天.
- If you want to know a specific year, use 哪年.
- For everything else, including when the answer could be an hour, day, week, month, or year, use 什么时候. It's the most flexible and widely applicable.
派对什么时候开始？ (Pàiduì shénme shíhou kāishǐ?) - When does the party start? (Could be '8 PM', 'this Saturday', etc.)
你什么时候回家？ (Nǐ shénme shíhou huíjiā?) - When are you going home? (Could be 'later', 'tonight', 'next week')
In almost all cases where you'd say 'when' in English, 什么时候 is the correct choice in Chinese. Don't overthink it at the A1 level. Master 什么时候 first, then learn the more specific time question words.
रोचक तथ्य
While 时候 (shíhou) alone can mean 'time' or 'moment', adding 什么时候 makes it specifically an interrogative pronoun for 'when'.
ज़रूरी व्याकरण
Use 什么时候 to ask 'when' an action happens or will happen. It can be placed before or after the verb phrase, but usually before.
你 什么时候 去 中国？(When are you going to China?)
When asking about a specific time, 什么时候 often replaces the time word in a statement.
他 什么时候 回来？ (When will he come back?)
It can be used to ask about a general period of time, not just a precise moment.
你 什么时候 有空？ (When are you free?)
Do not use 是 (shì) directly after 什么时候 when asking about time. The verb usually follows 什么时候.
会议 什么时候 开始？ (When does the meeting start?)
In a sentence, 什么时候 can often be followed by a verb + object, or just a verb.
你 什么时候 学习？ (When do you study?)
स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण
你什么时候有空？
When are you free?
我们什么时候见面？
When shall we meet?
你什么时候开始学中文的？
When did you start learning Chinese?
飞机什么时候起飞？
When does the plane take off?
我不知道他什么时候回来。
I don't know when he will come back.
你什么时候可以完成这个项目？
When can you finish this project?
他什么时候会打电话给我？
When will he call me?
你喜欢什么时候去旅行？
When do you like to travel?
व्याकरण पैटर्न
वाक्य संरचनाएँ
什么时候 + Verb?
你什么时候吃饭？ (When do you eat?)
Subject + 什么时候 + Verb?
他什么时候去中国？ (When is he going to China?)
什么时候 + 是 + Noun?
什么时候是你的生日？ (When is your birthday?)
Subject + Verb + 什么时候?
你回家什么时候？ (When are you going home?)
什么时候 + do you want to + Verb?
你什么时候想喝茶？ (When do you want to drink tea?)
什么时候 + Noun + Verb?
什么时候电影开始？ (When does the movie start?)
Subject + 什么时候 + can/could + Verb?
我什么时候可以去？ (When can I go?)
什么时候 + Verb + Object?
什么时候学中文？ (When to learn Chinese?)
सुझाव
Basic question word
什么时候 (shén me shí hou) is a very common question word in Chinese, similar to when in English. You'll use it all the time to ask about time.
Placement in a sentence
Generally, 什么时候 goes where the time expression would be in the answer. For example: 你什么时候去？ (Nǐ shénme shíhou qù? - When are you going?) Answer: 我明天去。 (Wǒ míngtiān qù. - I'm going tomorrow.)
Don't confuse with 'what day'
While it means 'when', it's not used to ask 'what day of the week' specifically. For that, you'd usually use 星期几 (xīngqī jǐ) or 周几 (zhōu jǐ). 什么时候 is more about general time or date.
Can refer to past, present, or future
什么时候 can be used for any tense. There's no separate word for 'when' in the past or future. The context or other words in the sentence (like 了 or 会) will indicate the tense.
No 'at' needed
Unlike English, you don't need a preposition like 'at' before 什么时候. It stands alone as the time question word.
Listen for the pronunciation
Pay attention to the tones: shén (second tone), me (neutral tone), shí (second tone), hou (neutral tone). The neutral tones are important for natural speech.
Practice simple questions
Start by asking simple questions: 你什么时候吃饭？ (Nǐ shénme shíhou chī fàn? - When are you eating?) 火车什么时候来？ (Huǒchē shénme shíhou lái? - When is the train coming?) Focus on getting the word order right.
Often used with verbs
You'll most commonly see 什么时候 directly before or after the verb phrase it's asking about. E.g., 你什么时候去？
Don't use for 'if/when'
什么时候 is strictly for asking 'when'. Do not use it as a conjunction for 'if/when' something happens. For that, you'd use structures like 如果...就... (rúguǒ... jiù... - if... then...).
Can be used as a rhetorical question
Sometimes 什么时候 can be used rhetorically, like 'When will this ever end?' or 'When will you learn?' This adds a bit of frustration or impatience.
याद करें
स्मृति सहायक
Think of 'shén me' as 'what' and 'shí hou' as 'time/moment'. So literally, 'what time' or 'when'.
दृश्य संबंध
Imagine a clock face with a big question mark instead of hands, and the words '什么时候' written across it. This visually links the phrase directly to the concept of 'when/what time'.
Word Web
चैलेंज
Try asking a friend (or even yourself!) '什么时候...?' for daily activities. For example: '你什么时候吃饭?' (When do you eat?), '你什么时候睡觉?' (When do you sleep?). The more you use it, the faster it sticks.
शब्द की उत्पत्ति
什么时候 (shénme shíhou) is a combination of 什 (shén, what), 么 (me, a suffix often used with interrogative pronouns), and 时候 (shíhou, time).
मूल अर्थ: The literal meaning is 'what time'.
Sino-Tibetan, Sinitic, Mandarinसांस्कृतिक संदर्भ
In Chinese culture, punctuality is generally valued, but there can be a bit more flexibility in social settings compared to business contexts. When asking '什么时候', it's common to follow up with more specific details if exact timing is crucial. For example, you might clarify if you mean 'when today' or 'when this week'.
असल ज़िंदगी में अभ्यास करें
वास्तविक संदर्भ
Asking about an event or activity's time.
- 我们什么时候见面？ (When do we meet?)
- 你什么时候有空？ (When are you free?)
- 派对什么时候开始？ (When does the party start?)
Asking about a deadline or completion time.
- 你什么时候能完成？ (When can you finish?)
- 报告什么时候交？ (When is the report due?)
- 他什么时候回来？ (When will he be back?)
Asking about a past event's time.
- 你什么时候来的？ (When did you come?)
- 电影什么时候结束的？ (When did the movie end?)
- 她什么时候走的？ (When did she leave?)
Asking about an indefinite or future time.
- 我们什么时候才能去中国？ (When can we go to China?)
- 你什么时候去旅游？ (When are you going to travel?)
- 他什么时候学会中文？ (When will he learn Chinese?)
Making plans or suggestions.
- 我们什么时候一起吃饭？ (When should we eat together?)
- 你什么时候想看电影？ (When do you want to watch a movie?)
- 我什么时候可以给你打电话？ (When can I call you?)
बातचीत की शुरुआत
"你什么时候开始学中文的？ (When did you start learning Chinese?)"
"你什么时候方便我们一起出去玩？ (When is it convenient for us to hang out together?)"
"你通常什么时候吃晚饭？ (When do you usually eat dinner?)"
"你上一次什么时候去旅行了？ (When was the last time you traveled?)"
"你什么时候有空，我们可以一起喝咖啡？ (When are you free, we can have coffee together?)"
डायरी विषय
回想一下你上次感到非常高兴的时候是什么时候？ (Think back: when was the last time you felt really happy?)
你希望什么时候能实现一个重要的目标？ (When do you hope to achieve an important goal?)
你觉得什么时候学习中文最有效？ (When do you think it's most effective to learn Chinese?)
如果你可以回到过去，你什么时候会去？为什么？ (If you could go back in time, when would you go and why?)
你期待着你生活中什么时候的到来？ (What time in your life are you looking forward to?)
खुद को परखो 72 सवाल
你___去中国？ (When are you going to China?)
‘什么时候’ means ‘when’ or ‘at what time’ and fits the context of asking about the timing of going to China.
我们___吃饭？ (When are we eating?)
To ask 'When are we eating?', '什么时候' is the correct word for 'when'.
你的生日是___？ (When is your birthday?)
This question asks for a specific time or date, so '什么时候' is the appropriate choice.
他___回家？ (When will he go home?)
To inquire about the time of returning home, '什么时候' is used.
你___起床？ (When do you get up?)
This question asks about the time one wakes up, so '什么时候' is the correct term.
商店___开门？ (When does the store open?)
To ask about the opening time of the store, '什么时候' is the proper word for 'when'.
The correct order to ask 'When do you eat?' is to place '什么时候' after the subject '你' and before the verb '吃饭'.
To ask 'When is she coming?', '什么时候' should be placed after the subject '她' and before the verb '来'.
When asking 'When are we going to the store?', '什么时候' comes after the subject '我们' and before the verb phrase '去商店'.
你___来中国？ (When are you coming to China?)
The question asks 'when' you are coming to China, so 什么时候 (shénme shíhou) is the appropriate word.
我们___见面？ (When shall we meet?)
To ask about the time for meeting, 什么时候 (shénme shíhou) is used.
她___回家？ (When is she going home?)
The sentence asks for the time of going home, so 什么时候 (shénme shíhou) fits best.
你___有空？ (When are you free?)
To ask about availability in terms of time, 什么时候 (shénme shíhou) is correct.
商店___开门？ (When does the store open?)
The question is about the opening time of the store, requiring 什么时候 (shénme shíhou).
火车___到？ (When does the train arrive?)
To inquire about the arrival time of the train, 什么时候 (shénme shíhou) is the proper choice.
Choose the correct question: You want to ask 'When is your birthday?'
The most natural and common way to ask 'When is your birthday?' in Chinese is '你的生日是什么时候？' or '你什么时候过生日？' '你生日什么时候？' is also acceptable but less formal. The other options are grammatically awkward.
Which sentence correctly asks about the time of an event?
In Chinese, '什么时候' typically comes before the verb or verb phrase it modifies. So, '你什么时候吃饭？' (When do you eat?) is correct. The other options are incorrect sentence structures.
Complete the sentence: '飞机 _____ 到达？' (When will the plane arrive?)
To ask 'when', you need to use '什么时候'. '什么' means 'what', '哪里' means 'where', and '怎么' means 'how'.
'我们明天什么时候见面？' means 'When will we meet tomorrow?'
The sentence '我们明天什么时候见面？' correctly uses '什么时候' to ask about the time of meeting tomorrow.
You can say '你什么时候回家？' to ask 'When are you going home?'
'你什么时候回家？' is a perfectly natural and common way to ask 'When are you going home?' in Chinese.
To ask 'When did you come?', you should say '你来了什么时候？'
The correct way to ask 'When did you come?' is '你什么时候来的？' or '你什么时候来的这里？'. '你来了什么时候？' is grammatically incorrect.
The correct order for a 'when' question in Chinese is subject + '什么时候' + verb + object. So, 'You when go China?'.
For questions about when something starts, the structure is usually the noun + '什么时候' + verb. So, 'Movie when start?'.
Similar to the first example, it's subject + '什么时候' + verb. So, 'She when come back?'.
Someone is asking about going home.
Someone is suggesting a meeting.
Someone is asking about a movie.
Read this aloud:
你什么时候开始学中文的？
Focus: 什 (shén)
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
火车什么时候到？
Focus: 到 (dào)
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你什么时候有空？
Focus: 空 (kòng)
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a short paragraph about your favorite holiday, mentioning when it is celebrated and what you usually do.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我最喜欢的节日是春节。春节通常在每年的二月庆祝。那时候，我和家人会一起吃饺子，看春节联欢晚会，还会收到红包，非常开心。
Imagine you are planning a trip with a friend. Write a few sentences asking your friend when they are available and suggesting a good time to go.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
你好！我们什么时候可以一起去旅行？你什么时候有空？我觉得夏天去会很好。
Describe a typical day for you, including when you wake up, eat meals, and go to bed.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我通常早上七点起床，八点吃早饭。中午十二点吃午饭，晚上六点吃晚饭。我一般晚上十一点睡觉。
小明什么时候去公园跑步？
Read this passage:
小明喜欢运动。他每天早上七点去公园跑步。他告诉我，跑步让他感到非常健康和快乐。他说，他已经坚持跑步两年了，身体越来越好。所以，他建议我也开始跑步。
小明什么时候去公园跑步？
文章中明确提到“他每天早上七点去公园跑步”。
文章中明确提到“他每天早上七点去公园跑步”。
他们计划什么时候看电影？
Read this passage:
这个周末，我的朋友要来我家玩。我们计划周六下午三点一起看电影，然后去餐厅吃晚饭。周日早上，我们打算去爬山，如果天气好的话。我很期待这次见面。
他们计划什么时候看电影？
文章中写道“我们计划周六下午三点一起看电影”。
文章中写道“我们计划周六下午三点一起看电影”。
图书馆在什么时候不开放？
Read this passage:
学校的图书馆开放时间是每周一到周五的上午九点到下午五点。周六和周日不开放。如果你需要借书，请在这个时间段内来。期末考试期间，开放时间会延长。
图书馆在什么时候不开放？
文章提到“周六和周日不开放”。
文章提到“周六和周日不开放”。
This sentence asks 'When are you going to China?' following a common Chinese sentence structure.
This sentence means 'When is he coming back?' The interrogative '什么时候' (shénme shíhou - when) is placed before the verb.
This sentence translates to 'When did she start learning Chinese?' and follows the standard subject-什么时候-verb-object structure.
When did you start learning Chinese?
When can we meet?
When do you think this project can be completed?
Read this aloud:
你打算什么时候去中国旅行？
Focus: 什么时候 (shénme shíhou)
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你的生日是什么时候？
Focus: 什么时候 (shénme shíhou)
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你通常什么时候起床？
Focus: 通常 (tōngcháng)
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence asks if someone knows when 'they' will arrive. The basic structure is Subject + Verb + Object + Question Particle. '什么时候' (when) is placed before '会来' (will come).
This sentence expresses the need to confirm when the meeting will start. '到底' (after all, in the end) emphasizes the uncertainty about the exact time. '什么时候' (when) precedes the verb '开始' (start).
This sentence means 'No matter when you decide, please let me know.' '不管...什么时候...' (no matter when...) is a common structure to express indifference to the time. '请告诉我一声' is a polite request.
You are planning a surprise birthday party for a friend. Write a message to another friend asking them to help with preparations, suggesting a time and place to meet. Include at least two different ways to ask about 'when'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
嘿，你最近怎么样？我想给小李办个惊喜生日派对，你能来帮忙吗？我们什么时候有空聊一下具体计划？或者，你何时方便我们见面商量一下？我想在下周末之前把事情定下来。期待你的回复！
You are writing a short email to your professor regarding a missed deadline for an assignment. Explain why you missed it and ask for an extension, specifying when you expect to submit the work. Use '什么时候' to inquire about their availability for a brief discussion.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
尊敬的王教授，您好！我是您的学生张明。我写信是关于上周的作业。由于突发的家庭紧急情况，我未能在截止日期前提交。我深感抱歉，并希望请求延长提交期限。我预计能在本周五之前完成并提交。请问您什么时候有空，我能和您简短地讨论一下吗？感谢您的理解和帮助。
Describe a future event you are looking forward to. Include details about when it will happen, where, and what you plan to do. Use '什么时候' to refer to the timing of this event at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我非常期待我明年夏天去欧洲的旅行。具体什么时候出发还没完全定下来，但大致会在七月初。我们计划先去意大利看古罗马遗迹，然后到法国品尝美食，最后在瑞士欣赏阿尔卑斯山风光。我已经开始研究各地的特色小吃和必去景点，希望能有一个充实而难忘的假期。
根据这段文字，人工智能的发展带来了什么？
Read this passage:
近年来，人工智能技术发展迅猛，渗透到我们生活的方方面面。从智能家居到自动驾驶，从医疗诊断到金融分析，AI的应用场景越来越广泛。然而，这项技术也带来了一些伦理和法律上的挑战。我们不得不思考，在科技高速发展的今天，人类的社会结构、就业市场乃至价值观，在什么时候会发生根本性的改变？
根据这段文字，人工智能的发展带来了什么？
文章明确提到AI的应用场景越来越广泛，同时也带来了一些伦理和法律上的挑战。
文章明确提到AI的应用场景越来越广泛，同时也带来了一些伦理和法律上的挑战。
文章指出，如果温室气体排放持续增长，到本世纪末地球平均温度可能上升多少？
Read this passage:
全球气候变化是一个日益严峻的问题。科学家们警告说，如果温室气体排放继续以目前的速度增长，地球的平均温度将在本世纪末上升2到4摄氏度。这将导致海平面上升、极端天气事件频发、生物多样性丧失等一系列灾难性后果。我们必须尽快采取行动，否则我们什么时候才能看到一个可持续发展的未来？
文章指出，如果温室气体排放持续增长，到本世纪末地球平均温度可能上升多少？
文章中提到“地球的平均温度将在本世纪末上升2到4摄氏度”。
文章中提到“地球的平均温度将在本世纪末上升2到4摄氏度”。
根据这段文字，以下哪项不是中国茶文化在不同时代的特点？
Read this passage:
中国茶文化源远流长，历史悠久。茶不仅仅是一种饮品，更是一种生活方式和精神寄托。从唐代陆羽的《茶经》到宋代的点茶，再到明清的泡茶，每个时代都有其独特的饮茶习俗。现在，随着生活节奏的加快，很多人开始重新审视传统茶文化的价值。他们想知道，在繁忙的现代生活中，什么时候能找到片刻宁静，品味一杯好茶。
根据这段文字，以下哪项不是中国茶文化在不同时代的特点？
文章讨论的是中国茶文化，咖啡文化与此无关。
文章讨论的是中国茶文化，咖啡文化与此无关。
他经过多年的努力，终于在学术界站稳了脚跟，成为了这个领域的权威。你认为他是在哪个阶段取得的这一成就？
题干中“终于在学术界站稳了脚跟，成为了这个领域的权威”表明他已经取得了显著的成就，这通常发生在职业的巅峰期。
面对瞬息万变的国际局势，我们需要保持清醒的头脑，明察秋毫，才能做出正确的判断。这里的“明察秋毫”指的是什么？
“明察秋毫”意为目光敏锐，能看清极细微的东西，比喻洞察力很强，能看出事情的细微之处。
他身居高位，却始终保持着谦逊的态度，从不摆架子，赢得了大家的尊重。这说明他具备了什么品质？
“虚怀若谷”形容非常谦虚，能容纳别人的意见。与题干中“保持着谦逊的态度，从不摆架子”相符。
在复杂的社会环境中，人际关系的处理往往需要灵活变通，不能墨守成规。
“墨守成规”指思想保守，守着老规矩不肯改变。在复杂的社会环境中，人际关系确实需要灵活变通，不能一成不变。
尽管面临重重困难，但他依然坚守初心，矢志不渝地追求自己的梦想，最终获得了成功。这里的“矢志不渝”表示他的决心有所动摇。
“矢志不渝”指立下誓愿，永不改变。它强调的是坚定的决心和不变的意志，而不是动摇。
他的演讲引人入胜，旁征博引，使得听众都沉浸其中，受益匪浅。这里的“旁征博引”是指他的演讲内容枯燥乏味。
“旁征博引”指广泛地引用各种材料作为依据。这通常会使演讲内容丰富、有说服力，而非枯燥乏味。
/ 72 correct
Perfect score!
Basic question word
什么时候 (shén me shí hou) is a very common question word in Chinese, similar to when in English. You'll use it all the time to ask about time.
Placement in a sentence
Generally, 什么时候 goes where the time expression would be in the answer. For example: 你什么时候去？ (Nǐ shénme shíhou qù? - When are you going?) Answer: 我明天去。 (Wǒ míngtiān qù. - I'm going tomorrow.)
Don't confuse with 'what day'
While it means 'when', it's not used to ask 'what day of the week' specifically. For that, you'd usually use 星期几 (xīngqī jǐ) or 周几 (zhōu jǐ). 什么时候 is more about general time or date.
Can refer to past, present, or future
什么时候 can be used for any tense. There's no separate word for 'when' in the past or future. The context or other words in the sentence (like 了 or 会) will indicate the tense.
उदाहरण
你什么时候来我家？
संबंधित सामग्री
यह शब्द अन्य भाषाओं में
संबंधित मुहावरे
general के और शब्द
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)
