Use '什么时候' to ask about any point in time, from specific hours to vague dates.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to ask about time in general
- Equivalent to the English word when
- Flexible placement in Chinese sentences
Overview
- 1概述：‘什么时候’是汉语中最基础的询问时间的词汇，相当于英语中的‘when’。它在句子中非常灵活，既可以放在句首，也可以放在动词后面。2) 用法模式：最常见的句式是‘主语 + 什么时候 + 动词 + 宾语？’，例如‘你什么时候去学校？’。此外，它也可以作为从句的一部分，例如‘我不知道他什么时候来’。3) 常见语境：在日常生活中，无论是在询问朋友聚会的时间，还是询问工作截止日期，都可以使用它。它适用于几乎所有非正式和半正式场合。4) 近义词比较：‘什么时间’比‘什么时候’稍微正式一点点，但两者几乎可以完全互换。‘几点’则专门询问钟表上的具体时刻，而‘什么时候’涵盖的范围更广，可以指日期、季节或模糊的时间段。
Examples
你什么时候回家？
everydayWhen are you going home?
请问会议什么时候开始？
formalExcuse me, when does the meeting start?
什么时候有空一起喝咖啡？
informalWhen are you free to grab a coffee?
研究人员正在调查事故发生的具体什么时候。
academicThe researchers are investigating exactly when the accident happened.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
什么时候都行
Any time is fine
从什么时候开始
Since when
到什么时候结束
Until when
Often Confused With
Used for specific clock time (hours/minutes). '什么时候' is for general time periods.
Used for duration (how long). '什么时候' is for a point in time.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
It is a neutral term suitable for almost all registers. In very formal writing, '何时' is preferred over '什么时候'. Avoid using it when asking for duration, as that requires a different structure.
Common Mistakes
Beginners often confuse it with 'how long'. Another mistake is placing it at the end of a sentence, which is grammatically incorrect in Chinese. Ensure it is placed before the verb.
Tips
Placement flexibility
Remember that '什么时候' can move around in a sentence. Putting it at the beginning adds emphasis to the time aspect.
Avoid confusion with duration
Don't use '什么时候' to ask for duration. For how long, use '多长时间'.
Politeness in asking time
In Chinese culture, asking '什么时候' is neutral. Always add '请问' before the question to sound more polite.
Word Origin
The word is a compound of '什么' (what) and '时候' (time/moment). Historically, it evolved from classical Chinese '何时' to the more colloquial modern form.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, time is often viewed as flexible. '什么时候' is the standard way to inquire about schedules without sounding too demanding.
Memory Tip
Think of '什么' (what) + '时候' (time) as 'What time'. It helps you visualize the combination of the two characters.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions‘几点’通常指钟表上的具体时刻，如‘现在几点？’。‘什么时候’范围更广，可以指日期、年份或模糊的时间概念。
可以的。放在句首通常是为了强调时间，例如‘什么时候我们一起去吃饭？’。
在非常口语化的表达中，有些人会说‘啥时候’，这是‘什么时候’的方言变体。
可以，常用于从句，例如‘我记得你什么时候回来的’，表示某一个时间点。
Test Yourself
你___去北京旅游？
询问时间应使用‘什么时候’。
A: 你什么时候有空？ B: ____
问题询问时间，回答应包含时间信息。
你 / 回家 / 什么时候 / 打算
在汉语中，时间状语的位置比较灵活，这几种表达方式均符合语法。
Score: /3
Summary
Use '什么时候' to ask about any point in time, from specific hours to vague dates.
- Used to ask about time in general
- Equivalent to the English word when
- Flexible placement in Chinese sentences
Placement flexibility
Remember that '什么时候' can move around in a sentence. Putting it at the beginning adds emphasis to the time aspect.
Avoid confusion with duration
Don't use '什么时候' to ask for duration. For how long, use '多长时间'.
Politeness in asking time
In Chinese culture, asking '什么时候' is neutral. Always add '请问' before the question to sound more polite.
Examples
4 of 4你什么时候回家？
When are you going home?
请问会议什么时候开始？
Excuse me, when does the meeting start?
什么时候有空一起喝咖啡？
When are you free to grab a coffee?
研究人员正在调查事故发生的具体什么时候。
The researchers are investigating exactly when the accident happened.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More general words
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).
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
大约
B1Used to show that a number or amount is not exact; approximately.
上边
A2above, on top
上面
A1on, above, over
