什么时候
When, at what time
Overview
The Chinese interrogative pronoun '什么时候' (shén me shí hou) is used to inquire about time. It directly translates to 'when' or 'at what time' in English. It can be used to ask about a specific point in time, a duration, or an event's occurrence. Unlike English, where 'when' can sometimes function as a conjunction, '什么时候' is primarily used as an interrogative word within a sentence. It typically appears before the verb or at the beginning of a question. It's crucial to remember that in Chinese, the word order in questions often remains similar to declarative sentences, with '什么时候' simply replacing the time element being asked about.
Here are some common usage patterns and nuances:
**Asking about a specific time or date:**
- 你什么时候去北京? (Nǐ shénme shíhou qù Běijīng?) - When are you going to Beijing?
- 会议什么时候开始? (Huìyì shénme shíhou kāishǐ?) - When does the meeting start?
**Asking about a duration (often implied):**
- 你什么时候回来? (Nǐ shénme shíhou huílái?) - When will you be back? (This implicitly asks about the time of return, which is a specific point after a duration of absence).
- 1Used with '从...到...' (cóng...dào..., from...to...) to ask about a time period:
- 你什么时候从学校毕业的? (Nǐ shénme shíhou cóng xuéxiào bìyè de?) - When did you graduate from school?
- 1Placement in a sentence: '什么时候' typically comes before the verb or before the predicate in a sentence, similar to how other interrogative pronouns like '什么' (shénme, what) or '谁' (shuí, who) are placed.
- 他什么时候来? (Tā shénme shíhou lái?) - When is he coming?
- 1Informal usage and variations: In very informal contexts, sometimes just '什么时' (shénme shí) might be heard, but '什么时候' is the standard and most common form.
Understanding '什么时候' is fundamental for asking questions related to time in Mandarin Chinese, making it an essential vocabulary item for beginners.
例句
你什么时候有空?
Asking about availabilityWhen will you be free?
我们什么时候出发?
Inquiring about departure timeWhen are we leaving?
你什么时候来的?
Asking about arrival time in the pastWhen did you arrive?
你什么时候才能完成这项工作?
Inquiring about a deadline or completion timeWhen will you be able to finish this work?
我不知道他什么时候会回来。
Expressing uncertainty about timingI don't know when he will be back.
常见搭配
容易混淆的词
语法模式
如何使用
使用说明
The structure for using '什么时候' is typically placed before the verb or verb phrase in a sentence, similar to other interrogative pronouns in Chinese. For example, to ask 'When are you going?', you would say '你什么时候去?' (Nǐ shénme shíhou qù?). It can also be used at the beginning of a sentence, though this is less common than placing it before the verb. When answering a question with '什么时候', a specific time, date, or period is usually provided. For instance, if asked '你什么时候来?' (Nǐ shénme shíhou lái? - When are you coming?), a possible answer could be '我明天来。' (Wǒ míngtiān lái. - I'm coming tomorrow.) It's important to note that '什么时候' is generally used for specific or relatively specific time inquiries, as opposed to more general temporal questions that might use other phrases like '在什么时间' (zài shénme shíjiān), which literally means 'at what time' but implies a more formal or precise context.
常见错误
1. Using '什么时候' interchangeably with '几点' (jǐ diǎn) for specific times. '几点' is used for asking 'what time' a clock shows (e.g., '现在几点?' - What time is it now?), while '什么时候' is broader and can refer to a period, a date, or a general time. For example, you would say '你什么时候来?' (When are you coming?) not '你几点来?' unless you are asking for a precise hour. 2. Not understanding the flexibility of '什么时候'. It can be used for past, present, or future events. For example, '你什么时候到的?' (When did you arrive?), '你什么时候走?' (When are you leaving?). 3. Overusing it in situations where a simpler time phrase would suffice. For example, instead of '你什么时候吃晚饭?' (When are you eating dinner?), if you just want to know if it's 'tonight', you might say '你今晚吃晚饭吗?' (Are you eating dinner tonight?). 4. Confusing it with '多久' (duō jiǔ), which means 'how long'. '什么时候' asks for a point in time, while '多久' asks for a duration. For example, '你什么时候开始学中文?' (When did you start learning Chinese?) vs. '你学中文多久了?' (How long have you been learning Chinese?).
小贴士
Usage Tips
Common Mistakes & Nuances
Advanced Use & Related Phrases
词源
The word '什么时候' is composed of '什么' (shénme) meaning 'what' and '时候' (shíhou) meaning 'time' or 'moment'. The combination literally translates to 'what time', thus forming the interrogative pronoun 'when'. Both components have a long history in the Chinese language. '什么' can be traced back to Old Chinese, evolving from various interrogative particles. '时候' also has ancient roots, referring to a specific point in time or a period. The phrase '什么时候' as a common way to ask 'when' has been in use for centuries, solidifying its place in modern Mandarin Chinese.
文化背景
The phrase '什么时候' (shénme shíhou) is a versatile and commonly used interrogative in Mandarin Chinese, directly translating to 'when' or 'at what time'. Its usage is straightforward and generally mirrors the way 'when' is used in English. Culturally, there isn't a specific nuance that differentiates its usage significantly from other temporal interrogatives in other languages. It's often used in everyday conversations, scheduling, and making plans. For instance, asking '你什么时候有空?' (Nǐ shénme shíhou yǒu kòng?) means 'When are you free?' This phrase is crucial for coordinating activities and understanding timelines in a Chinese-speaking context. There are no particular taboos or sensitivities associated with its use, making it a safe and essential phrase for learners.
记忆技巧
The character '什' (shén) looks a bit like a person standing next to a cross, perhaps like someone asking 'what' or 'when'. '么' (me) is a common interrogative particle. The character '时' (shí) means 'time' and contains the radical for sun (日). '候' (hòu) can mean 'wait' or 'time/moment', and it has the radical for person (亻) on the left, perhaps waiting for the right time.
常见问题
4 个问题自我测试
你___去上海? (When are you going to Shanghai?)
我们___见面? (When shall we meet?)
你___回家? (When are you coming home?)
得分: /3
Usage Tips
Common Mistakes & Nuances
Advanced Use & Related Phrases
例句
5 / 5你什么时候有空?
When will you be free?
我们什么时候出发?
When are we leaving?
你什么时候来的?
When did you arrive?
你什么时候才能完成这项工作?
When will you be able to finish this work?
我不知道他什么时候会回来。
I don't know when he will be back.
相关内容
更多general词汇
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)