The word '耗时' describes how much time an activity requires, often implying it takes a significant amount of time.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means 'takes time' or 'time-consuming'.
- Used for activities, tasks, or processes.
- Can imply a long duration or effort.
Overview
耗时 (hào shí) 是一个常用词，表示“花费时间”或“耗费时间”。它主要用来描述完成某件事情所需要的时间长度。这个词语可以用于各种场景，从日常活动到工作项目，都可以用它来衡量所需的时间投入。例如，一次长途旅行会耗时，完成一个复杂的项目也会耗时。
耗时通常作为动词使用，后面可以直接跟名词或名词短语，表示“花费（某事物）时间”。也可以单独使用，表示“需要花费时间”。在句子中，它可以放在主语后面，也可以放在句子的谓语部分。
**日常活动**: 描述做某事需要多长时间。例如：“做晚饭耗时。” 2. **工作和学习**
描述完成任务或项目所需的时间。例如：“这个项目耗时太长了。” 3. 交通和旅行: 描述路程所需的时间。例如：“从家到公司很耗时。” 4. 技能学习: 描述学习一项技能需要的时间。例如：“学好一门语言非常耗时。”
**花时间 (huā shí jiān)**
和“耗时”意思非常接近，但“花时间”更侧重于“花费”这个动作，语气更中性。而“耗时”有时会带有一点“消耗”或“费力”的意味，暗示时间被用掉了，可能还有点不情愿或觉得长。例如：“我花了很多时间学习。”（中性） vs “这个过程太耗时了。”（可能觉得长或麻烦）。 2. 费时 (fèi shí): 与“耗时”意思非常接近，都表示需要花费很多时间，并且常带有“麻烦”、“不值得”的负面含义。在很多情况下可以互换使用。例如：“打这个电话太费时了。” 3. 需要时间 (xū yào shí jiān): 这是一个更直接的表达，仅仅说明某事需要一定的时间，不带有任何感情色彩或对时间长度的评价。例如：“这个手术需要时间。”
Examples
从北京到上海坐火车很耗时。
everydayTaking the train from Beijing to Shanghai is time-consuming.
完成这份报告耗时数周。
formalCompleting this report took several weeks.
哎呀，等这个快递真耗时！
informalUgh, waiting for this delivery is taking forever!
该研究的实验部分耗时较长。
academicThe experimental part of this study was time-consuming.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
耗时太长
takes too long
非常耗时
very time-consuming
不耗时
not time-consuming
Often Confused With
'花时间' (huā shí jiān) is a more general and neutral term for 'to spend time'. '耗时' often implies that the time spent is considerable or perhaps even a burden.
'费时' (fèi shí) is very similar to '耗时' and often interchangeable. Both suggest that something requires a lot of time and can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation of being troublesome or inefficient.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '耗时' is versatile and can be used in both spoken and written Chinese. It is generally neutral but can carry a slightly negative tone if the speaker feels the time spent was excessive or inefficient. It's common in contexts describing tasks, projects, travel, or learning.
Common Mistakes
Learners might overuse '耗时' in situations where a more neutral term like '花时间' would be better. Also, ensure the context truly implies a significant amount of time is needed before using '耗时'.
Tips
Focus on Time Investment
Think of '耗时' as 'investing time'. It highlights the duration and effort required for something.
Avoid Overuse in Positive Contexts
While '耗时' can be neutral, avoid using it when you want to emphasize a quick or effortless process. Use '花时间' instead for neutral descriptions.
Efficiency is Valued
In many Chinese-speaking contexts, efficiency is highly valued. Describing something as '耗时' can sometimes subtly imply it's not the most efficient method.
Word Origin
The word '耗时' combines '耗' (hào), meaning to consume, use up, or waste, and '时' (shí), meaning time. Together, they literally mean 'to consume time'.
Cultural Context
In cultures that value efficiency, describing a process as '耗时' can be a subtle criticism. However, it's also used factually to describe long journeys or complex tasks without necessarily implying negativity.
Memory Tip
Think of '耗' (hào) as 'exhausting' or 'consuming'. So, '耗时' means the time is 'exhausted' or 'consumed' by the task, implying a lot of time is used up.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“花时间”更中性，表示花费时间去做某事。“耗时”则常常带有“消耗”的意味，暗示某个过程需要很长时间，有时甚至觉得有点长或麻烦。
“耗时”可以用在描述任何需要时间的活动、任务、项目或过程的句子中，无论是日常的还是正式的场合。
“耗时”本身是中性的，但根据语境，它可以带有轻微的贬义，暗示时间花费较多或过程较长，有时会让人觉得不那么高效或有点麻烦。
对于A1级别的学习者，可以说“花时间长”（huā shí jiān cháng）或者“需要很长时间”（xū yào hěn cháng shí jiān），意思也很接近。
Test Yourself
完成这个项目______了很多时间。
这里描述的是项目花费了大量时间，用“耗时”最合适，表示“花费了很多时间”。
哪句话描述了学习一门新语言需要很长时间？
“耗时”表示需要花费很多时间，符合学习新语言通常需要长时间的特点。
请用以下词语组成一个句子：耗时，制作，这个，很，蛋糕。
这是一个完整的句子，主语是“制作这个蛋糕”，谓语是“很耗时”。
Score: /3
Summary
The word '耗时' describes how much time an activity requires, often implying it takes a significant amount of time.
- Means 'takes time' or 'time-consuming'.
- Used for activities, tasks, or processes.
- Can imply a long duration or effort.
Focus on Time Investment
Think of '耗时' as 'investing time'. It highlights the duration and effort required for something.
Avoid Overuse in Positive Contexts
While '耗时' can be neutral, avoid using it when you want to emphasize a quick or effortless process. Use '花时间' instead for neutral descriptions.
Efficiency is Valued
In many Chinese-speaking contexts, efficiency is highly valued. Describing something as '耗时' can sometimes subtly imply it's not the most efficient method.
Examples
4 of 4从北京到上海坐火车很耗时。
Taking the train from Beijing to Shanghai is time-consuming.
完成这份报告耗时数周。
Completing this report took several weeks.
哎呀，等这个快递真耗时！
Ugh, waiting for this delivery is taking forever!
该研究的实验部分耗时较长。
The experimental part of this study was time-consuming.
