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March 24, 2026
小时(小時)xiǎoshí(xiao3shi2)
小时 (xiǎo shí) refers to an hour, which is a unit of time equal to 60 minutes. It is commonly used in everyday contexts, such as scheduling, discussing durations, and expressing time intervals.
Frequency#302DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, time management is often emphasized, and the concept of an hour is crucial for scheduling daily activities, including work, meals, and social gatherings.
Memory Tip
Think of 小 (xiǎo) meaning 'small' and 时 (shí) related to 'time'. Imagine a small clock ticking away the hours, emphasizing that an hour is a manageable, small chunk of time in the grand scheme of the day.
Meanings of 小时
xiǎoshí(xiao3shi2)
1hour
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About 小时
小时Simplified
小時Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#302Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 小时
Podcast: 小时
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AI Study Notes for 小时
Quick Contrast
分钟 (fēnzhōng) vs 小时 (xiǎoshí): Use 小时 for durations of one hour or more, while 分钟 is for shorter time intervals, specifically minutes.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 小 (xiǎo) meaning 'small' and 时 (shí) related to 'time'. Imagine a small clock ticking away the hours, emphasizing that an hour is a manageable, small chunk of time in the grand scheme of the day.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include using the wrong measure word; always remember to pair 小时 with 个 (gè) when counting. This term is informal and used in casual conversations, so it’s suitable for everyday discussions rather than formal writing.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 2 word, 小时 connects with other time-related vocabulary like 分钟 (fēn zhōng, minute) and 天 (tiān, day). Focus on using it in sentences to describe activities and durations to reinforce understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, time management is often emphasized, and the concept of an hour is crucial for scheduling daily activities, including work, meals, and social gatherings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget to use the measure word 个 with 小时, saying '两个小时' correctly instead of '两个小时个'. Also, some may confuse 小时 with 分钟 (minute); remember that 小时 refers specifically to hours.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 小时
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Grammar Patterns of 小时
小时 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
It is not unusual for women to work a 40-hour week.
6
小时候，他是曼联队的球迷。
xiǎo shí hòu， ， tā shì màn lián duì de qiú。
As a boy he was a Manchester United fan.
7
在到精神病医院两小时后他就上吊自杀了。
zài dào jīng shén bìng yī yuàn liǎng xiǎo shí hòu tā jiù shàng diào zì shā le。
He hanged himself two hours after arriving at a mental hospital.
8
这部电影较长，有3小时7分钟。
zhè bù diàn yǐng jiào cháng， ，3 yǒu 37 xiǎo shí。
This is a long film, three hours and seven minutes.
9
离开几小时或许对你有好处。
lí kāi jī xiǎo shí huò xǔ duì nǐ yǒu hǎo chǔ。
It's probably done you good to get away for a few hours.
10
往返行程需要3到6个小时。
wǎng fǎn háng chéng xū yào3 36 dào 6 gè。
It would take three to six hours for a round trip.
Cultural Notes for 小时
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, time management is often emphasized, and the concept of an hour is crucial for scheduling daily activities, including work, meals, and social gatherings.
Frequently Asked Questions about 小时
You can say '我工作了两个小时' (Wǒ gōngzuò le liǎng gè xiǎo shí), which means 'I worked for two hours'.
小时 is generally informal and used in everyday conversations.
Yes, 小时 can be used in both spoken and written contexts, but it's more common in informal writing.
