Understanding "时间" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 时间
• Pinyin: shí jiān
• Literal Meaning: "time" (时 - time/hour, 间 - interval/space)
• Primary Meaning: Refers to the concept of time, including hours, minutes, seconds, or a general period.

2. In-depth Explanation

Context and Usage

"时间" is a neutral and general term for "time" in Chinese. It can refer to:
1. Clock time (e.g., "What time is it?" – "现在是什么时间？")
2. Duration (e.g., "I don’t have enough time." – "我没有足够的时间。")
3. A specific point or period (e.g., "meeting time" – "会议时间").

Unlike English, Chinese doesn’t distinguish between "time" and "hour" in most cases—"时间" covers both.

Character Breakdown

• 时 (shí): Means "time," "hour," or "season."
• 间 (jiān): Means "interval," "space," or "between." Together, they emphasize the "passage or measurement of time."

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 现在的时间是下午三点。
   Pinyin: Xiànzài de shíjiān shì xiàwǔ sān diǎn.
   English: The current time is 3:00 PM.

2. Chinese: 我没有时间看电影。
   Pinyin: Wǒ méiyǒu shíjiān kàn diànyǐng.
   English: I don’t have time to watch a movie.

3. Chinese: 学习中文需要很多时间。
   Pinyin: Xuéxí Zhōngwén xūyào hěnduō shíjiān.
   English: Learning Chinese requires a lot of time.

Cultural Notes

• Punctuality is highly valued in Chinese culture, so "时间" is often associated with efficiency (e.g., "节省时间" – "save time").
• In traditional Chinese philosophy, time is cyclical (e.g., seasons, lunar calendar), reflected in terms like "时辰" (shíchen, a 2-hour period in ancient timekeeping).

Conclusion

"时间" (shí jiān) is a fundamental word for "time" in Chinese, covering clock time, duration, and periods. Remember it as "时" (time) + "间" (interval), and practice using it in daily contexts like schedules or plans.